Almost 5 years ago, I showed up to the rooms of NA pretty broken from only the use of what many would call minor DOCs - not hard drugs. Would anyone even believe me if I said that primarily the use of ephedrine pills and marijuana alone caused me to lose my family (divorce), my money (bankruptcy), and my sanity (inpatient stay in a psychiatric hospital)? Now, I am happy, clean, have my family back. I work the steps and I no longer relapse. I will celebrate 4 years in April. Early on, I used the fact that I only used diet pills and marijuana as evidence that I couldn't be an addict. And the fact that many others spoke of harder drugs still causes me to not tell my whole story....I feel like no one will relate. I love the program though and I will keep coming back. Would a story like this (only consisting of ephedrine and weed) be helpful at a conference or even a speaker meeting? I have evaded these opportunities just because I feel like people won't relate due to the fact that many don't even think of these things as drugs. So if you could all be brutally honest with me.....would my story ever be something anyone in the NA program would want to hear or benefit from??????
Yes, of course you have a good story.
My DOC was marijuana, though I used other drugs too.
Marijuana is a drug and it can cause a lot of problems in one's life.
For me, it hurt my motivation, memory, ability to think, relationships, morals, etc.
I have tired of being stoned or burned out all day.
What matters is not what drug we used but what it did to us.
The pot head, like the junkie, uses his drug obsessively, compulsively, and destructively.
Is your story needed/wanted/attractive to NA ??? Very much so!!!!!!
I smoked everyday for 39 years it was my DOC. I don't really get into discussing that, so it's comforting for me to hear others with similar backgrounds. How much of the using you share is up to you. For me it's all about HOW we stopped and what we do to stay clean. Thanks for sharing.....
Welcome to another day of LIFE free from active addiction.I have personally referred to this great writing and also suggested to some sponsee's to incorporate the thoughts in this writing when they/WE may have been feeling insignificant in the Recovery process
A simple, honest message of recovery from addiction rings true.
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Youre in a meeting. The sharing has been going on for some time. One or two members have described their spiritual experiences in an especially meaningful way. Another has had us all rolling in the aisles with entertaining stories. And then the leader calls on you... gulp. You shyly introduce yourself, apologetically stammer out a few lines, thank everyone for listening, and sit out the rest of the meeting in embarrassed silence. Sound familiar? Well, youre not alone.
Weve all had times when weve felt that what we had to share wasnt spiritual enough, wasnt entertaining enough, wasnt something enough. But sharing is not a competitive sport. The meat of our meetings is identification and experience, something all of us have in abundance. When we share from our hearts the truth of our experience, other addicts feel they can trust us because they know were just like them. When we simply share whats been effective in our lives, we can be sure that our message will be helpful to others.
Our sharing doesnt have to be either fancy or funny to ring true. Every addict working an honest program that brings meaningful recovery has something of immense value to share, something no one else can give: his or her own experience.
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Just for today: I have something valuable to share. I will attend a meeting today and share my experience in recovery from addiction
By the way you entered this site on March 25th,My birthday in 1948.
Have a blessed and productive day each and every single day at a time....
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
