We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the individual comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom for the group springs from our Traditions. As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us apart, all will be well.

TRADITION 1 - "Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity."
Tradition 1 is about unity. In N.A. we all fit together, no matter what our background was. If something doesn't lead to unity, it is usually selfish and self centered. When I put the needs of the group ahead of my own preferences or desires, I allow the group unity to help me, and so I am not the victim of my disease. When disagreements arise between members, our unity is vital to maintaining an atmosphere of recovery. Bearing the principle of anonymity, we are all equal in recovery, so our selfish nature must not endanger others or the fellowship. Common welfare must come first. We can all heal better through that principle. My sponsor told me to see God in everyone in the rooms, that he is part of them. All for one and one for all. I do my best to greet everyone at a meeting in a positive manner.

TRADITION 2 - "For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority— a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern."
If something isn't practical, it isn't spiritual. Group conscience should never be static, it should grow along with our
understanding of the principles. Every voice in N.A. is important. Half steps lead to half results. We open communication between us and our Higher Power and allow other group members to join. My own power isn't enough to provide good results for everyone else. Individuals do not control N.A., and the ultimate decisions need to be formed and supported by the fellowship at large, if we are to live by them, and call this our home. My responsibility (not authority) lies merely with the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. An addict is trusted to carry a message of Hope, of Love, and of Guidance! We as a group fellowship empower the true spirit of Recovery, Unity, Trust and Courage! Nobody is alone, right or wrong, as we support one another.

TRADITION 3 - "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using."
Remembering that the desire to stop using is my only requirement for membership in N.A. helps to keep me coming back. It shows me that no matter who we are or where we came from we can all receive recovery. No one addict is any more or any less than another. I am there to help and be helped, unified in our desire for recovery. I can participate enthusiastically even though my disease wants me to be anti-social. Everyone, regardless of how sick we are, is needed even when we feel different.

TRADITION 4 - "Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or NA as a whole."
I am amazed at how this program is a living entity. I have heard some stories from all over the world how N.A. meetings are conducted differently. I must remember that this is what makes N.A. groups work, especially when I'm at a meeting that isn't operating the way I think it should be. As long as the meeting is espousing the 12 steps and 12 traditions, then it's an N.A. meeting. We learn what autonomy is, and learn to practice it. We learn about balance, and how recovery is based on healthy balance. Tradition 4 reminds me that groups need to find their own unique voice in the fellowship, to carry the message to the best of the group's ability.

TRADITION 5 - "Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry the message to the addict who still suffers."
I feel as though I can become frozen when people come to me at meetings and dump out a load of problems, with a look on their face like their butt is on fire. Sometimes I am familiar with what they are going through, other times I haven't a clue. I stare, blinking, not knowing what to say. I don't really have to say anything, I just need to carry the message: That an addict, any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. I or my group cannot counsel on personal matters, give legal advice, romantic advice. We may try but it's certainly not our primary purpose.

TRADITION 6 - "An NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose."
The nature of our disease prevents us from seeing warning signs, and keeping focused with a goal and a purpose. This is why we need to keep our recovery as simple as our primary purpose stated in the fifth tradition. It is what makes recovery available to everyone who wants it. When we go down the track of endorsing, financing, or lending the NA name we can become distracted away from the simplicity of our program and its all-inclusiveness. We must not put ourselves in the position of owing or being owed anything, whether implied or expressed, to an outside organisation which is not bound by our traditions.

TRADITION 7 - "Every NA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions."
Fully self-supporting, as an NA group means just that; However, i see it confused sometimes with self-indulging. our primary purpose should come first, we must firstly carry the message, attracting the newcomer into an fellowship environment which is conducive to recovery. Marking up literature in the name of fund raising, stock piling money is self deception. It lends to our disease, and breeds corruption on an albeit minuscule, yet progressive scale.

TRADITION 8 - "Narcotics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers."
A professional by definition is one who engages for money or business to gain, some vocation or occupation or profession. Professionalism is the practice of some profession as a business. It contradicts the principle of anonymity because it implies that one person is better than or more advanced than another. Also, we do not sell recovery. It is not a profession. All we are are addicts with our own experience, no one person's experience is better or worse than another's.

TRADITION 9 - "NA, as such, ought never be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve."
Our fellowship works well when this tradition is applied. All trusted servants have responsibilities. When we try to play dope fiend games, and knock unity out of balance, we all suffer. Service boards and committees were elected by us, to work for us. They are only extensions of the groups, to perform similar needs that groups have in common and don't each need to duplicate. Groups focus on running meetings to carry the message, and entrust committees to carry out the combined conscience of the groups and areas, regions, etc. Trusted servants have earned our trust. When it works, it works well. When it doesn't, it goes back and unworks every tradition. As long as we do not organize, we can't blame "an organization", and accountability remains within the conscience of all our members.

TRADITION 10 - "Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy."
We maintain our unity and protect our primary purpose by sticking to what we know best: techniques and principles of recovery from the disease of addiction. By staying away from society's divisive controversies and not claiming to know "the answers" to the big political, religious or medical arguments of life, we stay focused on recovery. We can't afford to dillute our public image or confuse our purpose, that would only keep suffering addicts from fully identifying with our humble, accepting, caring way of life.

TRADITION 11 - "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films."
The promotions of other organizations about recovery may not have proven true. If we try to attract addicts to our way of life, by showing them we are able to live a drug free life, newcomers may believe more in the idea of recovery that is available to us all. Anonymity protects the individual and the fellowship from any type of promotion. If an individual represents N.A. through film, press or media, our public relations policy turns into promotion. No one addict can act as a model for recovery in the public eye. We cannot afford to stake the reputation of N.A. on the reputation or actions of any individual.

TRADITION 12 - "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities."
Standing up for the next right thing is difficult when I feel pressured by personalities. When I have God and the Traditions behind my motivations, I am less likely to be bullied or confused, and the effort and conscience of other recovering addicts combines to overcome the fears and lack of understanding we have. What we can't do alone, we can do together. We do what is required in principle, regardless of who is involved.