"The steps are our solution. They are our survival kit. They are our defense against addiction, a deadly disease. Our steps are the principles that make our recovery possible."
Basic Text, p. 19
There's lots to like in Narcotics Anonymous. The meetings, for one, are great. We get to see our friends, hear some inspiring stories, share some practical experience, maybe even hook up with our sponsor. The campouts, the conventions, the dances are all wonderful, clean fun in the company of other recovering addicts. But the heart of our recovery program is the Twelve Steps-in fact, they are the program!
We've heard it said that we can't stay clean by osmosis-in other words, we can't just attend meetings, no matter how many, and expect to breathe recovery in through the pores of our skin. Recovery, as another saying goes, is an inside job. And the tools we use in working that "inside job" are the Twelve Steps. Hearing endlessly about acceptance is one thing; working the First Step for ourselves is something very different. Stories about making amends may be inspiring, yet nothing will give us the freedom from remorse that taking the Ninth Step ourselves will give. The same applies to all twelve steps.
There's much to appreciate about NA, but to get the most from our recovery we must work the Twelve Steps for ourselves.
Just for Today: I want everything my personal program has to offer. I will work the steps for myself.
I've tried medicine, religion and psychiatry, I've spent thousands on therapy and treatments. I've followed guru's and and fads with nothing to show for it. The 12 steps have worked for me beyond my wildest dreams. And they're free. Go figure.
Morning Don!Thanks for posting..This is something we were talking about other day,another addict and I ,actually my grandsponsor.12th step tells us that Steps lead to an awakening of a spiritual nature.Evidenced by a change in our lives,Changes make us better able to carry message of recovery and hope.Says the message however is "meaningless" unless we "LIVE' IT.As we live it our lives andactions give it "more meaning' than any words or literature ever could!!!For me .along with my faith beliefs, I try and live my life accordingly to the spiritual principles of the steps.But check this out,my first sponsor in 1984 took me to meetings and basically yelled at me when I started my crap,but never discussed steps,spiritual beliefs or addiction as a disease,but always modelled the behavior of living the program.He was one ot the 'field workers" who would go under a bridge,pull you out get you coffee and bring you to a meeting.Definitely old school. Every week he went into prisons and spoke with hard core "lifers"He was from another fellowship but if it wasnt for him taking me by the scruff of the neck,devoting time to me and not co-signing any crap not sure if I would have made it early on.He lit the fire that took me many more years and finally God's direction to get me "working recovery" in the rooms of NA..He died a lonely old man,i was basically only one at his funeral except a few other prison /family people.H e was around 74 when he 'ADOPTED" ME AND DIED AROUND 4 YEARS LATER.There is no doubt in my mind that God put him in my life to get me "started on my journey to recovery.I miss him and will never forget that gruff old man,took a boy of almost 38 years of life 'AND SHOWED HIM HOW TO LIVE A NEW WAY"no schoolin,no sermons just action..God bless the process.....Have a blessed day!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
