As far as staying clean goes - i am doing that. I feel the best i have felt in a LOOONG time right now. Thank you to my HP!
My struggle comes when i think of being in this program for life...as in, going to meetings every week, etc. I really can't see myself doing that. I tend to think i can stay clean on my own later on down the road if i want to. Can this be done? Everyone in the program and everything i read points to the opposite...so why can't I wrap my head around it?
Hello Joy! Welcome to another day of "life".The 12 steps are our best way(NA) We deal with our addiction.The disease tries to avoid recovery by complicating our simple message..Recovery is a process and a journey,not a destination.Our aim is not to graduate from the process but to receive assistance a day at a time as long as we need it.We enjoy continued growth with periodical rest periods ,during the rest periods we gather the energy we need for the next growth period.I can tell you that I personally surrendered in '84 got clean worked a very poor program for some years and then drifted away from the formal relationship of sponsor/meetings/sharing/service and by the time I returned back to the fellowship I was still clean but spiritually and mentally broken.I still had very strong faith beliefs but was not "God centered ' as I am today only thru my Higher Powers grace and mercy and by "keeping what I have by giving it away"I am learning on a daily basis better way to live.Complacency turns into our biggest enemy..I remember when I was going to Chiropractic every week and I asked the DR. :How long do I need to keep coming doc" he looked at me and said"Mike How long do you want to be healthy.Well like all things I found a balance but I never forgot that moment.Our 12th step tells us that our spiritual awakenings give us a better understanding of our Higher Power and is developed by our working with others in recovery,we become vessels of hope and that the joy in living clean is an attraction to the ones who still suffer.The God of my understanding allowed me to be pulled me from the muck and mire and set my feet on solid ground but Narcotics Anonymous has definitely shown me a new way of life incorporating spiritual principles in my deeds and actions and giving back..JUST FOR TODAY!! I hope you are using a sponsor and sharing with others,,we are told "That the progression of recovery is a continuous uphill journey,without effort we start our slide down the hill again,but the progression of the disease is ongoing ,EVEN DURING ABSTINENCE!kEEP COMING BACK,USE OUR 3RD AND 11TH STEPS DAILY ,ALL DAY , and as my friend Don says"keep it in the day!!!!!More will be revealed.Nice talkin with ya.....peace
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I'm glad to hear that you are finally feeling so good. Don't you think it would be a good idea to continue doing what has helped you get to this point? I understand the 'rest of my life' thing. that's where taking it one day at a time comes in. You don't have to do anything for the rest of your life. Slow down...easy does it. Just for today I will do what makes me feel good about myself.
Thirteen days ago you posted it was your first day Clean. Don't worry about tomorrow or the rest of your life, the NA program is One Day At a Time.
Can you stay Clean long term without NA? Maybe. But not using is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to recovering from the disease of addiction. My best thinking got me here. Being open to listening and learning keeps me here. The more I know about living life the more I know I don't know. I went through a period of a decade not using and working less and less of an active program of recovery. Went months at a stretch even a couple years without attending a meeting. I didn't use but my life got back to miserable and hopeless, because I was managing it on my own. I have 30 years Clean and I'm typing this...
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
You need to ask yourself, "If you honestly want to, you cannot quit entirely, or even when using you have little control over the amount you take.." If you can answer that honestly, you are either a real addict, or just a hard user. If you find you can get sober on your own, try it.
i dont go to all meetings eithier im still clean we just have to take it a day at a time its a stuggle but so is life you just have to have the want to and you can do it stay strong stay sober
