Gottalife

I recently attended some NA meetings. They were in the same venue and had the same crowd as the AA group. A nice bunch of folks. Something struck me about one of the readings, which contained a reference to "taking no drugs of any kind".

The statement was not qualified to exclude medically prescribed. or to specify (say) mind altering drugs - it just said all drugs.

It seemed a very strong stance, and I thought that if you ever wanted to be driven out of AA, all you would have to do would be make a statement like that. The traditions don't defend you against the abuse that come from those wanting to defend their right to take medication.

The question is is that unusual in NA or is it an actual fact of the program?

Dee74

I'm not a member but I know NA has a pamphlette on medication the same as AA does:

https://www.na.org/admin/include/spa...Medication.pdf

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RDBplus3

I'm sure NA is similar to AA, in that all it takes to consider yourself as welcome to be there as ANYONE else ... is the 'desire' to get FREE.

However, that desire can get eclipsed by ... opinions of others, personality conflicts, self-importance, self-righteousness, lack of being willing to submit to the program, lack of diving into the program ...

take the initiative and do web searches for Recovery Speakers (AA & NA), recovery resources, online workshops, etc. However, be assured the naysayers are out there too.

I easily dismiss the naysayers, because they did NOT get me FREE.

RDBplus3 ... Happy, Joyous and FREE ... and I KNOW U Can B 2

Cleansing

Whoa, haven't been to an NA meeting in a while, thanks for the link, says pamphlet was made in 2007, actually never seen that one.

Here's another one OP ...
It's called In Times Of Illness, cannot post link, but if you go to google, and search, you may be able to find the full pamphlet. BUT, I know they are revising the pamphlet to meet current member's need, so maybe things have changed. i do AA currently, but spent a few years in NA in my beginnings.


Well worth the read, but, cliffs ...


Check honesty and motives when talking to your doctor.

Sometimes good to bring a understanding family member or close NA friend.

Clean time is personal, between me, my sponsor, and a Higher Power.

Very vital to tell you professionals you are in recovery

We can potentially react to medication like we did with drugs.

We really shouldn't get into exact details about medications or illness in actual meetings.




This one is also good on this topic in my experience:
https://na.org/admin/include/spaw2/u.../IP/EN3117.pdf

Dee74

https://na.org/admin/include/spaw2/u...%20Illness.pdf

https://www.na.org/?ID=ITOI-index

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Gottalife

Thank you everyone for your responses. Makes me glad I am a simple alcoholic. As an aside, my sponsor who only ever identified as alcoholic, refused all pain killers when he was dying from liver cancer. He felt very strongly about medication as applied to himself, but never pushed those views on me.

I agree the point made above that it all comes down to honesty with self, God, doctor and sponsor. The third tradition (in AA experience) is not enough on its own. There was a passage in the big book which states the most powerful desire was insufficient. Trad 3 gets you a seat at the table, but if you don't bring the requisite honesty, open mindedness and willingness, it may do little good.

Mango212

There are many ways to treat illnesses. My approach to wellness is very holistic and naturopathic.

I have nothing against others having a path that includes medication.

I often attend open NA meetings as a part of my daily recovery program (I'm not alcoholic or addict) and find peace, serenity and strong recovery role models in the NA rooms. I'm very grateful for them and the friends I've made.

The basic reference I think of with that statement is that alcohol is a drug.

nez

I can shoot holes in anything. It is not a special talent of mine, just easy to do and it seems to come naturally.

If I were drowning in the middle of the ocean and a rowboat drifted my way, it would behoove me to pull myself aboard. Once aboard, I can look at all the ways the boat is helping and getting me to shore...or I can shoot holes in the floor of the boat. :~)

IvanMike

The reading goes “...we are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from all drugs in order to recover.” The literature as a whole makes it clear that this means mind and mood altering substances. Likewise, it talks about times when you have to take these substances and what to do in order to use them as directed and responsibly.
The point being that getting loaded is getting loaded. We tend to be great at substitution, and it’s easy to justify that our problem was drug X so it’s ok to use drug Y. In the beginning I was resistant to that idea but it didn’t take much to be honest with myself about why I was taking any drug. And I mean those drugs that would cause me to escape from myself and life. Antidepressants just didn’t have the same kick as painkillers and benzos. Drugs are controlled for a reason. It doesn’t matter what your stances on whether they should be legal or not controlled, they get that label because they get you loaded. I certainly know which ones to look for. Sure, you will get some know it alls who think that applies to everything, just like you will get some people to justify that it’s OK for them to use one particular drug because they never had a problem with it they just have to use it every day. You find stupid people everywhere. It’s OK to ignore them.
Once you stop getting loaded, then you can start working on why you got loaded in the first place.

Dee74

Good to see you IvanMike
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IvanMike

Thanks Dee.

Life is good, it’s been interesting switching to zoom meetings during the pandemic. NZ actually has a great one that runs 24/7. It’s cool to see and interact with people in recovery around the world.