What matters is keeping the desire to stay clean no matter how tough it gets, just get past each episode and don't use.
The program gives suggestion on how to start living life with a set of tools we're given. Imagine an empty tool box what good is that if you have a job to do, start filling that tool box with ideas and suggestions to prepare yourself for inevitable days ahead, there are going to be times that using is going to sound good and thinking back how good it felt to be high and escpape bad feeling is going to happen, but heres a tool remember the bad times that come along with using imagine everything your going to feel later.
A lot of us knew for a long time we needed to stop, needing to isn't enough you have to want it also, you have to want it 24 hours a day 7 days a week and if you can do that for 365 days in a row you'll get a year under your belt.
Read that NA Book underline what fits in your life, learn it learn your disease and addiction like the palm of your hand, everythings written in that book to help you stay clean. Going to meetings helps us connect with other whom have the same issues, we all just about go through the same crap day in and day out there you will see others making it through those days and nights and you'll see and hear about those who dont and you'll learn why.
Get suuport and a sponsor to share with and work the steps with when your ready.
Honest , openminded and willing, to go to any lengths to stay clean sometimes that means doing some footwork, making a call telling on yourself to another addict, admitting defeat, surrendering, making mistakes but not using them as excuses to use and give up, we give up on a lot of things it's the fight and flight syndrome, we're big babys and want everything our way or we hurt ourselves or others.
Theres a lot going on I know but all you got to do is get through today, tomorrow you can deal with that then but for today just stay clean and do something for your own recovery.
Welcome anyone to add to this thread I had a long talk with a guy on the street today, glad i took the time it helps me to know that some of us are staying clean others out there that we might be able to help get this thing need our support and understanding, I have been right where that guy i talked to today is he hates where he's at he said, and I know that feeling.
We do get and stay clean just gotta want it really bad.
Thanks, Vini. I love the saying, "This Program isn't for people who NEED it, or for those who WANT it. It's for those who DO it!!" Every addict probably needs it, many, many addicts WANT it, but it only WORKS for those addicts who DO it. My sponsor told me once that this Program is so POWERFUL that it works even if you DON'T work it...just not for your ass!
I love the tool box metaphor, Vin. (is it a metaphor?) Anyway, here are some of my favorite tools that have worked since I've been clean:
Meetings, Meetings, Meetings, and did I mention Meetings?
Read Literature,
Build a network of recovering addicts and talk to them on a regular basis (if I'm not already in the habit of calling them, what makes me think I would call them in a crisis?) Call my sponsor every day,
Prayer,
Hang out with other addicts for coffee and fellowship. All these things helped me to let go of "old people, places, and things."
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"With a sweet tongue of kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair." ~Persian Proverb
Thanks for sharing a few of your tools from the recovery toolbox Dan, yes, it's indeed a great metaphor, having our own recovery toolbox from where we can draw our solutions from
Some of my tools:
Starting the day with the Serenity Prayer and the Third Step Prayer, and ending the day by thanking my Higher Power for a day clean, and for being with me throughout the day.
Using the daily readings from Just For Today book as my daily reflection/meditation at the start of the day, tunes me up for the day.
Reaching out to a newcomer/sponsee at least once everyday
Committing to my Homegroup service and meetings by helping open and start the meetings, Chairing the meetings, helping out with serving refreshments during the meeting, cleaning up and closing the room after the meeting, and by sharing what works for me at these meetings.
Making (not attending) regular meetings, surrender completely to what happens in a meeting (no going out in between, no taking calls etc.), sitting in the front as close to the members sharing as possible, and listening actively to what is being shared as much as I possibly could...
Being active part of online support groups of NA such as this...
Trying to practice principles that this program suggests in my daily situations to the best of my ability...
A regular and conscious contact with my Higher Power
Reading NA literature
Reaching out to my Sponsor and taking directions from him
Opening up with a fellow member and thus allowing myself to be vulnerable once-in-a-while... (wish my ego would permit me to do so regularly
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"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
I am new to this website and am a recovering addict.
I like how you used the tool box metaphor. that is a good way of puttiing it. I have only been clean a week because i went back to where i use to live and hung out with the wrong people AGAIN! But i am back home and am going to STAY CLEAN THIS TIME.....i want to have a future and become something in life, not just another kid that couldnt make it.
I am trying to locate a sponsor near where i live, any suggestions? i know i can do it this time because i am ready to work at it through the good and the bad.
so if you have any advice please let me know.. THANK YOU
Hi and welcome, flbaby18. Terran are there face to face meetings near you? That is the best place to find a sponsor. One suggestion is to pray for your Higher Power to guide you to the sponsor he/she/it has for you. Our basic text talks about how "We can use this power long before we understand it." So you don't have to have developed a full understanding of your Higher Power in order to ask for his/her/its help.
Another suggestion is to attend as many meetings as possible, listen with your heart, and when someone shares that you feel you can relate to, get their phone number and call them within a day or two. Tell them you need a sponsor and ask if they would be willing to be your temporary sponsor, or if they have any suggestions to help you find one. Some people don't believe in temporary sponsorship but it is referred to in our literature.
Also, we have an Informational Pamphlet available on sponsorship. Get one at your first meeting and read it. Good Luck, Terran, and keep us up to date on your progress. Again, welcome and keep posting!
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"With a sweet tongue of kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair." ~Persian Proverb
Good idea. I am going to pray to my her power and hope that it guides me in the direction of a sponsor. I do not have one. I never have. I don't know why. Maybe I am just scared to ask I don't know but I am going to pray and hopefully that will help.
Questioning ourselves and answering HONESTLY can be very difficult, sometimes we have to face things that aren't so easy to accept. The things i find that are unacceptable now were acceptable when I was using, so things change. I have found that not everything changes, charecter defects and shortcomings come up, attitudes and behaviors I had I still have, there all sorts of conflicts in life and how i deal.
I find that "easy does it" is one the more used tools I use, it stops me in my place and gives me a moment to think through, it gets me off my pedestal, it brings me back to the program and being spiritual .
Prayer, you know when ALL ELSE FAILS pull the spirit card out LOL, higher power sits upon his throan waiting for our calls
Good stuff guys thanks for adding tools to my 1/2 empty box
A few useful suggestions... and where they come from...
AVOID PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS Basic Text Page 15: "Old friends, places, and ideas are often a threat to our recovery. We need to change our playmates, playgrounds and playthings."
COME EARLY AND STAY LATE Basic Text page 252: "We were into service work, emptying ash trays, setting up and cleaning up meeting halls. We would get there early and leave late..."
DON'T USE... GO TO A MEETING Basic Text page 10: "...we suggest that newcomers keep coming back and come back clean." IP 23 "Staying Clean on the Outside": Instead of picking up that first drug, we do the following: * Don't use, no matter what * Go to an NA meeting
GET AND USE A SPONSOR Basic Text Page 55: "We have found it helpful to have a sponsor and to use this sponsor" IP # 16 "For the Newcomer": "We suggest that you look for a sponsor as soon as you become acquainted with members in your area."
GET A HOMEGROUP Basic Text Page 54: "We find our place in the Fellowship, and we join a group whose meetings help us in our recovery." Basic Text page 95: "Attending our home group provides encouragement from the people that we get to know."
KEEP COMING BACK, IT WORKS! Basic Text Page 9: "We have learned from our group experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean." Basic Text page 148: "Keep coming back, it works." IP #22 "Welcome to Narcotics Anonymous": "KEEP COMING BACK - IT WORKS!"
90 MEETINGS IN 90 DAYS Basic Text Page 53: "A meeting a day for at least the first ninety days of recovery is a good idea.
USE THE PHONE Basic Text Page 54: "...get and use telephone numbers..."
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"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
