This program offers hope. All you have to bring with you is the desire to stop using and the willingness to try this new way of life.
IP No. 16, For the Newcomer
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From time to time we wonder if were doing it right in Narcotics Anonymous. Are we attending enough meetings? Are we using our sponsor, or working the steps, or speaking, or reading, or living the right way? We value the fellowship of recovering addictswe dont know what wed do without it. What if the way were practicing our program is wrong? Does that make us bad NA members?
We can settle our insecurities by reviewing our Third Tradition, which assures us that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. There arent any rules that say weve got to attend this many meetings or these particular meetings, or work thesteps this way at this pace, or live our lives to suit these people in order to remain NA members in good standing.
Its true that, if we want the kind of recovery we see in members we respect, well want to practice the kind of program thats made their recovery possible. But NA is a fellowship of freedom; we work the program the best way for us, not for someone else. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
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Just for today: I will look at the program Im working in light of my own recovery. I will practice that program to the best of my ability.
This is an odd reading, mixing the 3rd tradtion (the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using) with following the suggestions (steps, sponsor, meetings, etc.). It is indeed true that we can attend meetings without working the steps, getting a sponsor and following the other suggestions, but that won't get us very far. If we want to recover, we must more than just show up. We must do the footwork, i.e. follow the suggestions.
I agree with Dave and Raman. The third tradition is cool for getting in the program. But after a bit (preferably before relapse) one may want to begin showing willingness by taking some basic suggestions; sponsor... Replacing playmates and grounds.
Just for today: I will look at the program Im working in light of my own recovery. I will practice that program to the best of my ability.
