Narcotics Anonymous

The NA Way

I chose to do my paper on a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I am quite familiar with this program; I have been clean and sober for nearly eighteen months and attend meetings weekly. Without the support and encouragement from my sponsors I guarantee I would still be where I was nearly two years ago. I prefer to attend closed meetings, because they are generally smaller; and I am able to open up to the group.

I attended my first meeting here, about two months ago. I went with my boyfriend to my first meeting. At the meeting I was touched, and swept away by the warmth and humor in the room- smiling faces, bright eyes, relaxed bodies and laughter. I felt myself leaning forward, drawn to the speakers, liking them a lot. I went back to another meeting and from there I attended three more meeting by myself. Everyone was so comforting and reassuring. What I love about NA is that there are no strings attached; anyone can come no matter what age, color, or social status you may belong to. The people at these meetings don't judge you for the mistakes you've made in the past, but the will to remain clean and sober. As I quickly peered across the room, I met an amazing woman who has been in the program for nearly ten years. She is now my sponsor, and we talk with each other daily. I enjoy being able to talk to someone when you have a tough day, the women build you up with what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. Although we are very much different one thing that binds us is the strive to abstain from all mind altering substances.

The addicts in our meetings have had to adjust in finding a completely new way of life. For most of us, that means moving away or having to find sober friends. Our whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another--the getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. We lived to use and used to live. As the NA model says, "One is too many and a thousand is not enough." when attending my first meeting that quote was read. It really made me think, because it is so true no matter what drug you use, or have used in the past. You can never completely fill that addiction, you always want more.

One thing I also learned at my meeting was how long the men and women have been attending these meetings. Many people there go to meetings every night, and have been in the NA program for up to twenty years! Another motto in NA is "Keep Coming Back."