New to NA New to Tx

shrugged29 · Member

New to NA New to Tx

Dave R · Guru

Welcome. You will find support here but MUCH MUCH more in NA meetings. In meetings you will find people with can share their experience, strength, and hope. There must be lots of meetings in Houston. If you are serious about recovery, you'll check out some meetings. If you can drive somewhere to get drugs, you can drive to a meeting.

MIKEF · Guru

Welcome to MIP!

I would also highly suggest making some meetings and listen to whats going on.When I first surrendered I stopped using but it was only a short while until I found myself still in bad shape because I had not addressed the many issues in my drug induced life.Through the Program and the fellowship,a sponsor and some in depth work(The Steps) applied in all areas of my life,I began recovery not just abstinence.I learned about the "exact nature' of my illness and tools to apply daily to keep me away from ever picking up that 'first one" again.Our literature tells us"we may not be responsible for our addiction but WE are responsible for our recoveries! Whatever it takes,eventually the pain outweighs the pleasure and with The grace of a Higher Power than you you can get into what WE call the solution,the Steps,worked with a sponsor and applied in the attitudes and behavior of you life.Let us know how it goes,keep coming back..There is literature at WWW.NA.ORG our Basic Text and info pamphlets and Booklets all about the program and addicts and recovery.Give it a look,but better yet FIND a meeting and give it a go.........peace smile

shrugged29 · Member

Oh wow how super helpful. In case you didn't read my post I have not driven to get anything. I have been clean for quite a while and have looked up all the meetings in my area, houston is huge and it takes forever to get anywhere. The closest meeting to my house is 25 miles and in good traffic a little over an hour. Not feasible for several times a week especially since I have a little one at home. But thanks so much for being judgemental...just what I needed.

avid · Guru

Meetings are a good idea, but if you can't make them, then you can't make them.
There is absolutely no one on this board or anywhere else who
can determine your dedication to your recovery.
Only you can do that.
Coming here says something about you wanting to reach out for support.
You can find support here and on from other on-line venues.
Staying clean since May is a huge accomplishment, but still having cravings 7 months
down the road is dangerous. That's where having a local support group can be a life saver.
But the important thing is that you reached out for support.
You realize that doing this alone is like walking on thin ice.
You started a process that can lead to a life beyond your wildest dreams.
Don't let anyone discourage you.
Please, Keep coming back.

MIKEF · Guru

WWW.NA.ORG The Basic text and all literature to help with information about recovery are a click away .Online sponsorship also available ,but may be harder to attain.?. .We only suggest ,do not give advise ,meetings we make are our choice and that includes none if we can't. Miracles In Progress ,this site, is here for one addict to reach out to another in a loving and caring manner and offer help thru their own experience ,strength and hope.Hope you'll keep coming back,WE do this together,a day at a time, You have remained clean for a period of time and that is a blessing any clean addict is a miracle.Our 1st Step talks about our admission to our addiction and the unmanageability of our lives.The healing begins here(PUTTING DOWN THE SUBSTANCE) ,and the work continues daily...there are many different roads to recovery Narcotics Anonymous is one that has helped many addicts find freedom....You have reached out for support and people to talk with .WE only suggest what has and has not worked for us,take what you need and leave the rest for another time....peace......

shrugged29 · Member

Thand you to mikef and avid, its appreciated. I have been a bit dubious about na because my brother, who has been addicted to meth and cocaine for over a decade, began going to na meetings, of his own accord, a few years ago. He had been clean for a couple of months and wanted to continue and needed help and support. He liked the meetings but there were two people there who befriended him only to later call him incessantly offering drugs and facilitating another relapse for him. So while im sure this is not common, I have just moved here and want to stay away from negative influences.

avid · Guru

You have very acurately pointed out the downside to NA.
First....and there is no denying this. When people relapse they often take others with them.
I have seen it happen numerous times. A group of young people start going to meetings at around the same time.
They start hanging out, dating, rooming or living together etc. Then one relapses and bang....the whole bunch, or many of them also relpase.
It's a problem to be sure. Expressions like "hang out with the winners" and don't date for the first year of recovery" often fall on deaf ears. Sometimes
with tragic results.
Second.....the rooms can attract predatory types. Drug dealers and others seeking vulnerable people will sometimes go to meeting looking for
needy people to victimize in one form or another. This is not common but it does happen. It's one reason why we urge newcomers to get with
people of their own sex.
Going to meetings can be a life saver, but like any other journey into the unkown you should be alert to risk.
I still encourage you to go to a meeting, but absolutely sit next to a women. Find the women who have some years of clean time and reach out to them.
Get their phone numbers and call them.
As a matter of fact, even if you can't get to a meeting, going to NA.org and looking up the helpline for your area might be a good idea.
You can call, ask to speak to a female with some good clean time, and see where it goes.
Good luck to you and let us know how your doing.

shrugged29 · Member

Thanks for the advice. Ive seen that there are some seperate mens and womens groups. Thankfully I have been blessed and able to have my family together including my husband.

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