[Sugah]

In my personal experience, I have found that the two fellowships use a different word to describe the same condition. In AA, we call it alcoholism, and in NA, we call it addiction. For a long time, I dual-identified no matter which room I was in ("I'm an alcoholic and an addict" or vice versa), and eventually came to realize that it did not hurt me, was not dishonest, to just use the term preferred by each respective fellowship. Therefore, in AA, I introduce myself as an alcoholic and in NA, I introduce myself as an addict, even though I know I'm talking about the same thing. It's become a matter of respecting each fellowship.

I know the question didn't have to do with identification, but I felt it necessary to qualify my position before offering a response. As long as I see the need for and can take the first step in each fellowship, I belong there. If I'm an alcoholic who thinks drugs are not a problem, or an addict who thinks I don't have a real or potential problem with booze, then I'm unlikely to have any understanding of what lies below my symptoms. Maybe I'll come to realize it, or maybe I'll have to learn the hard way.

I know from experience that "both" drugs "and" alcohol are a problem for me, but I've never done mushrooms (psilocybin). Does that mean that I don't entirely qualify for NA if I don't know for certain that mushrooms aren't a problem? Throw them all in the same pot and find where you feel most comfortable. For me, that's AA. Some prefer a little of both.

Peace & Love,
Sugah