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NA Message Board -> Narcotics Anonymous Message Board -> Newcomer.. Seeking guidance. Please help.
Post Info TOPIC: Newcomer.. Seeking guidance. Please help.
mon_chat


Newbie

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Newcomer.. Seeking guidance. Please help.
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Hi everyone. My name is Amanda and I am an addict. I have been sober for 66 days but have never attended an actual NA meeting. I want a life of sobriety and wellness, but I am mostly confused with and afraid of these next steps that lay before me, which I'm sure is a natural feeling for anyone in recovery. I am concerned right now, which is why I am here.

I have recently recognized my own addictions and moved on from the negative influences and habits that have supported my self-destructive behavior and I have made the decision to surround myself with positive people, positive energy and self support. However I am starting to feel my weaknesses because I miss the social interaction of my "past life" but I don't have any sober friends to talk with, who understand what I am going through. I am lacking the proper guidance and support, which would come from meetings and sponsors. But the thought of the 'first meeting' scares the crap out of me.

-Is it necessary to attend meetings as a part of recovery?

-Are there books I should be reading?

If you can't help with these questions, do you know who should I speak to?.. I am so confused. I want to know how it works? Are there certain things I should be doing? How many meetings and how frequently?? I would love even one answer.

Thank you so much!!!

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MIKEF


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Hi Amanda ! welcome..congratulations on 66 days ,thats a miracle.There are many facets to continued recovery.At Narcotics Anonymous you learn how to live  a new way of life, not just stay abstinent from drugs.We suffer from a physical ,mental and spiritual disease that manifests itself in all areas of our lives.We all were anxious about our first meetings. In meetings we learned things about ourselves we never knew before and when we follow suggestions they can lead us to spiritual awakenings through step work,sponsorship,one addict helping another and doing things that help other addicts.You can go to NA.ORG and pull up literature and read about "who's an addict,what is  the Narcotics Anonymous program,how it works and many other information pamphlets or IP'S .I would suggest finding a meeting and going in,let them know you are a "newcomer" they'll ask is anyone here for the first time. You will feel the love and support and be able to identify with people just like you ,as we say we are not interested in what or how much you used,but only what you want to do about it and how we can help..You have taken a wonderful first step by showing up here and sharing whats going on.Thats what we do  to help us remain clean and live a life free of active addiction. Stick around and let us know how you are doing,give yourself a break and hope to hear back from yousmile

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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery. 
avid


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HI Amanda, and welcome.
I fully understand your nervousness about beginning this journey. I was the same way.
You ask if you need meetings to stay clean? the answer is yes, absolutely yes. Here you will meet people who are just like you. Addicts who are struggling and others who have found peace of mind and a new way of life. You won't be alone anymore.
You will be introduced to the steps the NA way.
You will learn that you don't have "addictions" but that you suffer from the disease of addiction. Our literature states "We are not interested in what, or how much you used" because it doesn't matter...It also states "alcohol is a drug" and it certainly is.
By keeping it simple you loose some of the fear, and are less intimidated by what seems to you now to be a daunting challenge.
I love Narcotics Anonymous. It gives me so much. Chief among these gifts from the program are my self respect, the love and respect of my children, friends and support group who do not use any substances and a loving higher power to guide me in times of doubt.
This link http://na.org/?ID=phoneline will guide you to finding the helpline number in your area.  Call it and share what you have told us.  They can find some women who will accompany you to a meeting.  
Give yourself a break and get to a few meetings.  What have you got to lose?



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Keep it in the day.
mon_chat


Newbie

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This is very helpful insight. Thank you so much!

I'll keep you posted :)

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rocky


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welcome to our happy group keep coming back

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 some of us win some of us lose with god and this program i will  be a winner
gr8fulangel7


Newbie

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Unfortunately in your case you can't do this alone. I have tried every way and nothing ever worked until I became active in NA. It's suggested when we first get to NA we should make 90 meetings in 90 days. It is scary but people in the rooms are very loving and caring and welcome the newcomer with open arms. Trust me when you go to a meeting it won't take very long before someone comes up and talks to you. Are you involved with any drug and alcohol counseling or attend any groups? Where I am from we call it Intensive Outpatient Program. If there is, I would suggest it because they also need to attend meetings and you will make friends in a smaller group and you can go to meetings together. Please give it a shot. Just shoot up a prayer and ask for guidance and then go into the meeting. You will be fine.This is the only way it works!!!!!!

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Diane McNally
Tahir


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Welcome & Congratulations on the BIG 66! Way to go!

Thanks for sharing Amanda, very inspiring to read about your determination and the openmind you demonstrate.

Yes making regular meetings made my initial and crucial part of my recovery that much easier to deal with. Of course, it was hard for me as a newcomer to snap ties with all my using friends, to stop going to places that were familiar to me for many years, and to make the effort to show up at a meeting. But I did it anyway as I was willing to go to any lengths, out of despair smile.gif

Reading NA literature definitely helps. Check out NA books, booklets and information pamphlets at

http://na.org/?ID=ips-eng-index

Also being an active part of online forums such as these, and making online meetings helped me too. I used to show up everyday, share, read others' shares, talk with others at the chatrooms...

Please try to make a face-to-face meeting where you live, they say in NA that making 90 meetings in 90 days makes a newcomer comfortable in the fellowship, and also helps get to know a few members, and in forging fruitful relationships with other members that would benefit us for years to come.

Keep coming back! We all need each other, together WE can!

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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.
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