I'm thrilled that I came across the link to this place! I was doing a Google search for some Second Step stuff, and ended up here.
I live in the San Fernando Valley, smack dab in the heart of "Where it all Began" for Narcotics Anonymous...literally within 2 miles of the World Service Office.
I feel truly blessed to live in such an area, because I've been able to submerse myself in this program. I know that there are areas of this country that may have very few weekly meetings available to addicts - whereas my meeting schedule lists no less than 9 on any given day, all within a 10 mile radius of my home.
So, I read through some threads in a fairly random fashion...and for some reason, it seemed that every single one was from a Newcomer. I want to say to all the Newcomers...
Welcome home - you never have to use again, even if you want to!
Well...my original clean date was 1/30/2008 - I made it exactly 54 weeks...took my first cake, then gave it back 2 weeks later.
That was 31 days ago...
I'm one of those that ended up in this program because of a nudge from the judge...and I stayed because I saw all the wonderful things that life had to offer me. I was blessed in that all the 'stuff' came so easily. The relationship, the job, the money, the ability to have a decent relationship with my grown children...
Oddly enough though, the 'stuff' completely overwhelmed me - after all those years of NOT having any of it, it was difficult to learn to balance it all....it brought me to my knees, and I made the choice to go back out there. I thank God though, that 'out there' lasted for all of 2 hours before I came running back to the rooms of NA!
I have today, though. And today has been a fabulous day for me!
Here I am! I am ALIVE and ready for this miracle to happen! What an awesome fellowship! Thanks to everyone in NA for my recovery! I know it isn't easy come...but I am very excited to be a part of this process. I finally have surrendered! I want to live and be a solid Mother to my 4 year old. Thanks to all the brothers and sisters in this true fellowship! Thanks~