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Narcotics Anon

Keaton

Keaton

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Joined
May 14, 2010
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I'm gonna be starting NA soon, does anyone have any tips?

I've never done anything like this before and I'm kinda nervous.
 
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Just be prepared for a lot of people coming up to you and hugging you. Well that happened when I went. Also be wary of new comers as well... It's for the better, like I mean if you truly do want help. I know a lot of people who go there for connects or to find more people to get high with. Also if you don't think the group has the best vibe for you just find another, before you give up. I also found AA can sometimes be better than NA even though I am not an alcoholic they still can help out a lot more at times.
 
hey Keaton,

I've been off and on (depending if I was getting high or staying clean) with NA since '93 (had two separate times where I had five consecutive years of continuous clean time).

The experience is different for everyone but some key things for being new that have helped me have been:

  • sit up front
    this keeps you from being shy because everyone is behind you. Its easier to talk when you don't see people looking at you.
    Also, you won't be distracted by the attractive women/men that may be there
  • raise your hand when they ask if you are new
  • make a meeting a day for 90 days
    Yeah, it seems intimidating and a bit overboard but it is beneficial in many ways. It taught me commitment, consistency, discipline and patience. I thought I had these qualities before but I really didn't. After learning these things I have found that they have helped greatly in other areas of my life (school, work, exercise, relationships)
  • raise your hand at every meeting in the beginning
    If you don't have anything to say just say 'I'm an addict named Keaton and I'm just practicing raising my hand'
  • watch people and compare their actions with their words
    not everyone is there for the right reason so use your natural senses to determine who to get close with. You'll meet some extremely caring and selfless people there but there are also some sick pups as well
  • if you get to the point where you want to be serious and choose a sponsor, do exactly that, CHOOSE your sponsor. If someone offers to sponsor you without you asking, respectfully decline. You aren't there to cater to someone's ego. Choose someone who has qualities that you admire and would like to develop yourself.
    Basically, in order to get what someone has, its best to do what they have done and the results in doing that will be rather similar.
  • don't base your judgments on a single meeting. They are diverse. Give it a fair shot and try a variety of meetings at different locations

You're going to hear the word 'God' pretty often. Don't let this scare you. Yeah, there are many people of a variety of religions that attend but it is not a religion focused fellowship.

I'm no guru and I'm no representative of NA so other folks should probably throw in their own suggestions as well.

Good luck, man!

PS Here's some helpful links:

NA Meeting Locator

Welcome to NA

Sponsorship

NA.org
 
Thanks OD. :)
That helps a ton mate. I have my first meeting on Tuesday, I'll report back on the experience.
 
please do! I like to hear how other parts of the world do NA. Its all based on the same structure and they all follow the same guidelines (aka Traditions) but its kinda neat hearing about other people's experiences.
 
don't base your judgments on a single meeting. They are diverse. Give it a fair shot and try a variety of meetings at different locations
Click to expand...

I think this is very important 2 consider if you are going 2 try N.A.

Some rooms might just not be right 4 you , but keep shopping around till u find one you are comfortable with.

When i was in the rooms i would travel to the next city because the Meet in my own wasn't 4 me.
 
Great advice OD :)

Open mindedness - v. important. It's not a religious program.

Expect to feel nervous, that you think all the focus is on you. But don't worry everyone is thinking the same themselves! Addicts are very self-obsessed people.

Keep going to meetings regardless of what your head is saying - in spite of yourself you can get recovery.

Give it a go, it's completely changed my life!

<3
 
I'm an avid supporter of N.A. and you are only get out of it what you put it in. You really have to work the steps for it to be effective. It is a wonderful support system if nothing else comes from it for you. Best of luck and I hope you find a group that really works for you :)

@OD-Very nice posting! :)
 
So I went to the first meeting tonight.

It was interesting. I was pretty nervous walking in. Sat up front, just like OD suggested.
Apparently there were a few of other people that were there for the first time as well, so we all introduced ourselves, although I didn't tell them my real name for some reason.
I'l be going back this weekend for my second meeting.
 
Did you find the meeting to be something that you connect with?

12-step meetings can be an instant support network which can be helpful during a transition from heavy substance use to abstinence. Approach it however you feel comfortable although giving a fake name may make it more difficult to feel comfortable bonding with the other people there in the future.

I've had several years of AA/NA although I no longer attend meetings. But the social support that it offers is hard to find any where else unless you feel you have sufficient support from family/friends.

All the best, I hope that it offers you what you need at this point in time :)

Initially I found speaker meetings to be preferable because I did not really feel comfortable opening up. But as time passed I felt more comfortable in discussion groups and enjoyed the opportunity to open up and express myself.

And OD makes a good point about being selective about who you hang out with. A lot of people like to talk as if they are some sort of gurus but many people are genuine and willing to offer support and guidance without getting egos too much involved.
 
I did, I really liked it. I think the fact that I wasn't the only one there who was poppin' their cherry, so to speak.
I like the fact that I'm in there with people that understand what it's like to be craving as much as I am and how hard it can be.
 
Well that's good if you found something that you feel will be helpful :)

If you connect with the philosophy then the program in itself can provide a lot of what you need to stay way from substance use if complete abstinence is your goal right now.

I've found therapy to be helpful for dealing with issues that I didn't feel were addressed within the program, so that's always an option too.

All the best :)
 
That's some good shit right there, keaton!

I just moved halfway across the country and the meetings here are fucking awesome. Back east there were some very militant folks and I was getting despondent.

I've been here for 13 days and have been to 9 meetings (I'm committing myself to making 90 meetings in 90 days so I can get to know people and so they can get to know me). I was immediately accepted and asked to have dinner twice with complete strangers. Its a nice feeling, man

Have you made any other meetings since your last posting?
 
I've been to four so far.
All at different places though, just trying to get a feel for the way things go and see what different groups have to offer.
Great experience so far. :)
 
So I'm a few weeks in and I've already taken a lot from the program.
Thanks to these meetings I've figured out that one of the reasons I've continued using drugs is because I'm able to be as open as I want with people and release all my inhibitions. Now that I know that, I have something to work towards which will make not only getting clean but also staying clean much easier.
 
how are you doing with the spiritual side of the program? that was always the hardest part for me to grasp but then again i had never prayed a day of my life before going to AA.
 
I had a bit of an issue with the terms 'spiritual' and 'spirituality'. It never dawned on me to look up the actual definitions:

spir·it   
[spir-it]
–noun
1.the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2.the incorporeal part of humans: present in spirit though absent in body.
3.the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
Click to expand...
SOURCE

spir·it·u·al   
[spir-i-choo-uhl]
–adjective
1.of, pertaining to, or consisting of spirit; incorporeal.
2.of or pertaining to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature: a spiritual approach to life.
3.closely akin in interests, attitude, outlook, etc.: the professor's spiritual heir in linguistics.
Click to expand...
SOURCE

Essentially, the Steps focus on what the program calls 'Spiritual Principles'. These 'principles' are also defined as 'character assets'. Among these character assets are:

Honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, empathy, tolerance, patience, courage, acceptance, gratitude, humility, faith, commitment, service, forgiveness, and perseverance (there are more but I can't think of them off the top of my head.)

Each Step focuses on developing one or more of these positive character attributes. That's pretty much how it works. Ya take the drugs away and then focus on changing ideas, attitudes and behaviors in a positive direction.

When I disassociate the word 'spiritual' from the concept of 'religion' it makes sense. I'm glad it has nothing to do with religion or I wouldn't fuck around with it in the least
 
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