This may have been covered elsewhere, but I was trying to find out if the word "sober" appears in in any of the stories in the Basic Text? I am reading through it again, but somewhere in the back of this old brain I thought I remembered being surprised to find the phrase "clean and sober" somewhere, which upset some folks when I asked recently after a meeting. I am not trying to stir up the old "NA purity" or " Clarity" statement controversy. Just curious as our literature has evolved over time.
You can find that statement on Pg 126 of Basic Text 3rd Edition ...personal stories,, Beginnings.3rd paragraph....I have attended many meetings where the Clarity statement was used to debunk this terminology used in the specific meeting and I have been to many other meetings(especially these days,I began recovery in "84) where many identify as clean and sober,, sometimes called out ,sometimes not....I have heard this more prevalent in AA meetings than in NA meetings....Alcohol is a drug ,that's all we need to know as addicts,,,carrying the message that there are 2 different focuses is confusing for newcomers....WE, in NA prescribe to the idea that WE suffer from the disease of ADDICTION...where as in AA they talk of Alcoholism and its oneness of the substance of alcohol. ,quite different actually...If WE think of it there really is no DOC (drug of choice,, addiction is our illness) although If you are like me I had my favorites. .AA also talks of being recovered(first 100 etc not really a 100 but...) and in NA we are never consider ourselves never cured but working daily recovery...Couple big differences. My first sponsor was from AA in '84 and talking of drug in that program back then was highly frowned on....Today there are many ANDA'S (alcoholic and addicts as they announce themselves.)For me I can use NO mind altering ,mood changing substances based on my own evidence.....:)
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Thank Mike F! It was and is so much simpler (for me) in NA, as my disease manifests itself in so many ways. My mom (35 yrs in AA) used to call it the "ism" of alcoholism, and that recovery meant abstaining from alcohol AND other drugs. I remember hearing old timers in AA telling newcomers "Don't pick up that drink and don't smoke no dope".
Addiction is our illness so is mental illness, whoe's severity differs amongst each individual and my DRUGS of choice are cocaine and alcohol, mike don't be a party pooper i like the prase "drug of choice" please be tolerant LOL
-- Edited by BigV on Thursday 2nd of January 2014 11:56:42 PM
Yes Vin I know I was a garbage head so my DOC'S were ALL!!! Though your top 2 were prevalent in my realm daily....:) And Dave I'm speaking of AA meetings,where my first sponsor came from in New York(...very little NA going on in my area then....,,,,the ANDA'S is a relatively new thing in those meetings and here in Florida very common.....In years to come I believe we will hear more language adjustment especially in the AA program...In areas where I can't find NA meeting I may make an AA meeting and share from the standpoint of the 3rd tradition respecting the house im in..(my stuff)I am also sometimes just Mike
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I am an addict... a drug, food, sex and gambling addict... the one thing I'm not is an alcoholic but have used the term "clean and sober" on occasion in conversation more as a reflection of having more than one addiction. I've also wondered about my usage and whether or not I should say such a thing... no one has ever called me on it nor ever been asked if I was also an alcoholic. Thanks for the thread, kd
-- Edited by kitty doyle on Friday 3rd of January 2014 11:45:04 PM
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"The Greatest Possession We Have is The 24 Hours Ahead Of Us"
We often use words and common phrases common in everyday speech that are non technical. They are often imprecise but meaningful in the context of casual conversation. If the phrase "clean and sober" is meant to mean abstinent from mood altering substances, then I think we should understand it that way. Over time people new to NA may come to understand that this expression might lead some to think the disease of addiction is substance specific, but most folk I hear use it, don't mean that. They really mean drug free. I don't think we should encourage special language in NA, lingo and jargon that separate us from the larger community. Folks coming into recovery need to feel welcomed in spite of how they use the language. I am afraid this issue is sometimes used to enforce a divide between us and others who attend other support groups and fellowships. We are not in competition with groups outside NA. I do think our members should lead by example and that during our groups' meetings and other activities we should be mindful and choose our words with care, reflecting our primary purpose and our literature. When celebrating lengths of clean time, our home group secretary reads "We are fortunate that NA makes no distinction between drugs. We celebrate lengths of abstinence from all drugs...." We no longer use the Clarity Statement as there was no real agreement as to how if was understood by others, and it created some hard feelings among members.
My home group recently added this statement to our opening reading, before the approved literature: " In keeping with the therapeutic value of one addict helping another we ask that you refer to yourself as an addict and your abstinence as clean-time or recovery." Of course, when the word "sober", or "clean and sober" is used we do not correct, frown upon or make reference to during the meeting. We do try to exhibit tolerance, love, compassion and empathy. However, as home group members we do try to lead by example and we might even strike up a conversation about the use of language outside the meeting, over coffee after the meeting, etc. I was just wondering where I could find NA Approved Literature that does not conflict or create controversy. Does it exist? Or is it as someone once stated: "It's (literature), getting to be as varied and numbered as there are personalities in the rooms." And can someone explain the difference between Narcotics Anonymous World Services, and World Services Office? Is it $$$$? Thank you.
i like the prase "drug of choice" please be tolerant LOL
