I am just landing here and my trip has been a long one. I am without my 3 boys and I have been court ordered to complete the 12 steps to get them back. I don't know anything about this program but I have had loved ones attempt the AA 12 steps. I was hoping that one or all of you could give me beginner info about NA, about local meetings, and about just how long it will take me to complete this program. By the word complete I guess I mean my Certificate of Completion. I have tried a few different drugs mostly when I was younger but the drug I had used for 12 years was marajauna. I am scared that you guys will not think I have a real reason to be here and I know some othere drugs are more addictive- the last time I smoked pot was May 30th of this year and at first it was aggitating not to but now I know I will never do it again. It stopped being in my mind after the first week or so. I hope that I can find real support here and I hope to make some real friends here and maybe help one of them out one day in a time of need. Please send a response and thank you all...
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I have been ordered by court to complete a 12-step program with narcotics anonymous as part of my case plan for reunification with my children.
Welcome to Narcotics Anonymous; You never have to use ever again. Bad news you never complete this program, it's a don't use one day at a time program for the rest of your life. If you mean work the steps, you need to find attend face to face meetings, get a sponsor (someone with time who has worked the steps)and work the 12 steps. You can find meeting by call the NA hotline, phone number is in the phone book. Or you can got to the NA world website and fottow the links. "na.org" you could also go to "narecovery.org" they have a direct link to meeting locator. Good luck, Bob.
i read your post script and wanted to share a bit of my experience...
when i found NA in the Basic text when i was in a centre ,, my first aim was to get out of ther and so followed the recovery Program..
then in one meeting when theyt read Tradition 3 ,, i was struck !!!
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using it said and i compared it with my motives at that time .
i wanted to stop using so wouldnt hurt anymore,, to gain contriol of my life, to find acceptamnce in family and society agai and avoid being committed to a lunatic asylum and to finish the six months program at the centre..
now all thats ok,, but i cannot have that as my basic motive,,,,,
as ive learnt and experienced over the years in Na,, I have a desire to stop using and stay clean for the rest of my life,,, living life on a daily basis helps em accept thisfact !!!
before coming into NA all my knowledge about addiction and recovery came from other addicted people and mostly false,, the only Truth i knew was i was addicted and my life was hell,, unmanageable and out of control totally !!!
in fact as i worked the Fourth step i became aware that deep down i wanted to stop suinf forever and life a drug free life !!
that dream has come true primarily because of sharings in meetings ,God and sponsors guidance !!
the basic principle i experienced for long term clean time is continued desire to saty clean a without attaching that to any other outcomes !!
Best Of NA recovery to you,,,,
keep coming back,,, it works !!
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
If you get a chance to go to a meeting pick yourself up a blue basic text and give yourself a break. Don't worry about your drug of choice so to speak. Our text tells us "We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.." pg 9 Basic Text.
The text continues to tell us that drugs and alcohol are only a symptom of the disease addiction. It's our thinking that is distorted.
I know for me each day I am clean my awareness increases. Sometimes I like who I am and other days I don't. Thank God this is an on going process, living just for today makes it easier to live for me.
