New Member Question on how to practice or work the 12 Steps of N.A.

Louis · Member

New Member Question on how to practice or work the 12 Steps of N.A.

MIKEF · Guru

Hello Louis and Welcome to MIP. I am an addict named Mike.......Congrats on 90 days truly a blessing.It is wonderful that you have gotten our literture and are ready to start STEP work but you didnt mention that you have a Sponsor?Based on my own evidence,SELF SPONSORSHIP doesnt work.A sponsor will have suggestions for you and help you get started and moving forward.The first time I went thru the Steps they didnt have the working guide but my sponsor suggested ways to work through them.I have also gone back and worked thru with the Step working guide,a much more question oriented method but also worked between my sponsor and myself.I would suggest listening for a sponsor at the meetings you are attending,maybe sharing you are looking for one or just asking others how they found their sponsors.It is a personal relationship.If you are not familiar with sponsorship you can google www.na.org and look up sponsorship pamphlet #11.......Let us know how your doing...

Louis · Member

Hello Mike,

Thank you for replying to my question. Yes it is a blessing I celebrated 90 days Clean, I agree.

Went to a N.A. meeting tonight as a matter of fact and had a chance to read your reply before I left. I felt nervous asking someone to sponsor me, so I didn't. I did ask ask a man there who is a little older than me for his phone number and asked him my question he said the same as you. Do you have a Sponsor? I said no. He agreed to be my Temporary N.A. Sponsor, I said yes so now I have a Sponsor!

That was easy, I also received a meeting list with phone numbers since I did not ask that group for one yet and they had a little White Booklet they said was free for the taking and I took a copy.

Thank you,

Louis

Thank You

MIKEF · Guru

Okay Louis!!! Just Don't Use,follow suggestions and get into the 'SOLUTION" your life will begin to change as you get to the "exact nature" of whats going on with you.Keep coming back ,okay,let us know how your doing.Good job stepping up and seeking a sponsor it can be the next best thing you've done since you put down the substance... smile smile

Mike M · Guru

Hi Louis, Welcome to MIPS. Keep going to face to face NA Meetings on a regular basis - they are the heart beat of the NA program. It's suggested 90 meetings in 90 days to form a strong foundation and new habit of Recovery centeredness. If you feel like using use those phone numbers instead! As far as the Basic Text goes I suggest the first read just read it cover to cover. Don't worry about understanding it at first. Recovery is a marathon not a sprint revealed like an onion, layer upon layer precept upon precept.

Raman · Guru

Hi Louis. My name is Raman and im an addict, clean and serene just for today the NA Way...

And, as the saying goes "meeting makers make it". And we are the proof !
Like sometimes I supplement Na with attendance at AA events. Tonight AA has a night-long vigil, from 7 pm Saturday to 6 am Sunday. Im sure to attend, if just for the Fellowship of recovering people, some sharings and some food.
The point is to do this every-day.

The best therapy for us addicts is one addict helping another. This is without parallel , a system built by addicts for addicts and based on the Universal Understanding that one addict can best understand and help another. That wordless language of recognition and belief, that leads me to feel space and touch time that was long lost, is a phenomena that can only happen in this Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. I say this with conviction and certainity after trying many other therapies, religions and other changes and adjustments.

So yes, just for today, my thoughts will be on my recovery, living and enjoying life without the use of drugs.
Best of luck in your recovery Louis, may you find the abundance that I and countless others have found in this 12 Step Program....

And yes, please do remember the old adage "meeting makers make it"....

Louis · Member

Hi Mike M.,

Thanks for the advice I phoned a fellow on my other list and had a nice discussion and exchanged emails which was a nice way to stay in touch. Thanks for the information about the Basic Text, I will keep plugging away at it slow and steady I am only able to read and concentrate about 30 mins a day max. I did read alot of the pamphlets they were easier for me to understand.

Thanks again,

Louis

Louis · Member

Hi Raman,

Thanks for the welcome and for explaining it to me. Already I am at meetings where people with just a few days are sharing and I reply "Keep Coming Back" and smiling at them wishing them the best, I know what a nightmare it was for me in the first month staying clean.

There is alot of energy in the rooms of N.A.!

Thanks again,

Louis

Raman · Guru

hi Louis....l

(((((((((((((((((((Great Recovery Hugs to you..)))))))))))))))))

-- Edited by Raman on Sunday 21st of October 2012 02:06:27 AM

avid · Guru

Hi Louis and welcome
Asking questions is a great way to start your recovery
Going to meetings and talking to other recovering addicts daily
is a conerstone of the program for most of us determined to stay clean no matter what.
Working steps and sponsorship is a huge benefit. Indeed, our literature tells that the only
"wrong" way to work the steps is to work them alone.
That being said, I believe it is important to take a little time before asking someone to sponsor you.
My suggestion is always to listen to people speak, then talk with them a little after a meeting or two,
and other things that indicate to you that the person is demonstrating a healthy recovery.
Most important IMHO is to pray for your higher power to put a good sponsor in front of you and help
you recognize when He does.
I'm glad to read your posts.
I wish you all success and health
and by all means...please keep coming back.

Louis · Member

Hello Avid,

Thanks for the welcome. I just got back from a face to face N.A. meeting it was a pamphlet meeting and I shared on it honestly. One lady after the meeting said I shared good, something like that, I don't remember her exact words but they made me feel good. I took the suggestion in the Meeting Pamphlet I have with phone numbers to join a home group and I joined this one tonight gave them my name and clean date. I also purchased a 6th edition Narcotics Anonymous book since mine was a used 5th edition I bought when I was using when and where I forgot. I took out the trash for the group so as to give back.

Have a good night, and thanks for the reply. I will try not to work the steps alone, like you suggest and just read the pamphlets and my 6th edition a little at a time.

Louis

avid · Guru

excellent!
So now you have a home group and a service commitment to the group
IMO the next step is to keep your eyes and ears open for a sponsor.
Listen to the "old timers" and speak with them before and after meetings.
Pray for the right person to be revealed and when you feel like you found someone
you can relate to and trust then....just ask.
good luck and keep coming back.

Louis · Member

RE: New Member Question on how to practice or work the 12 Steps of N.A.

alyqat4 · Senior Member

RE: New Member Question on how to practice or work the 12 Steps of N.A.

Louis · Member

Hello Alygat4,

Thanks for the post, I guess I am willing to turn over the reigns since I did ask here how to work the steps. I was disappointed when my Temporary Sponsor told me he doen't work the steps I was hoping he would instruct me on what to do. Guess I have to ask more NA people at the meetings I go to when they got clean and if they work the steps and be willing to teach them to me as a Permanent Sponsor.

In the meantime I will just use the phone and the meetings for fellowship and stick to reading the pamphlets and the book Narcotics Anonymous.

Thanks again,

HUGS

Louis

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