There are organizations that try to help people who want to recover from drug addiction. An example of these organizations is Narcotics Anonymous; a nonprofit group. It goes after a twelve step program and it is group-oriented. It describes itself as a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a disturbing problem.
In Narcotics Anonymous, the only requirement is a desire to stop using drugs. Moreover, since it is group-oriented, each member tries to help each other. There is a customary meeting for members to help each other stay clean, clean meaning a complete abstinence form all mood and mind altering substances. There are no fees necessary when one joins a nonprofit organization.
Narcotics Anonymous provides a place for drug addicts to recover aside from rehabilitation centers. Typically, addicts initially join narcotics anonymous after reaching a “bottom” in their life, a point at which life feels completely unmanageable, characterized by “unemployability, dereliction and destruction” and centered around the getting and using and finding ways and means to get more drugs. Every Narcotics Anonymous member reaches a different bottom, which can be wherever the addict chooses to stop using. In practice, it is drug use and the intense consequences connected with its abuse that carry most addicts to their bottom many of them sliding along ‘this bottom’ for many years often cannot find their way out.
Regular meetings are the basic unit of Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. Assemblies are held in a array of places such as church meeting rooms, libraries, hospitals, community centers, parks, or any other place that can accommodate a meeting. “Open” and “closed” meetings are the two basic types of meetings practiced in Narcotics Anonymous.In open meetings, everybody is welcome while in closed meetings, addicts and individuals who think they have drug problems are the people who can only attend.
Meeting formats differ, but most of the time it conatin time devoted to the reading aloud of Narcotics Anonymous literature regarding the matters implicated in living life clean which is in print by and for members of Narcotics Anonymous. Many meetings also include an “open sharing” part, where anyone attending has the opportunity to share. There is usually no direct reaction during the ‘share’, thus only one person ever speaks at any given time during this portion of the meeting.
Each group has only one primary purpose that is to carry the message to the addict who still suffers. As a result, the newcomer is considered to be the most important person in any meeting. The message of Narcotics Anonymous is hope, that there is another way to live. The one promise of narcotics anonymous is that an addict, any addict, can end using drugs, drop the desire to use, and discover a new way of life. Members are being given hope for a new life through Narcotics Anonymous’ twelve step program and twelve traditions.
Every individual has many potentials which translates to every life should not be put to waste. He or she may fail, as in becoming enslaved by worldly things such as drugs, but a person is also skilled of standing up from the fall and looking forward once again. Thus, the Narcotics Anonymous, focusing on those who are victims of drug addiction, speaks to these people of how wonderful life still is and that addiction does not mean the end, it is just a middle stage for a new and better life.
Today, there are a number of Narcotics Anonymous based in different areas of the world trying to make a difference. These groups have but one message to convey, that in times of darkness, such as falling into the pit of drug addiction, you are not alone in this battle. The Narcotics Anonymous is there to support you and help you stand up and fight for your life.
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As a member of narcotics anonymous I just wanted to thank you for a very well written piece. I will have 12 years clean next month and it is rare that I have seen such a well spoken story about the fellowship that I have no doubt saved my life.
Thank you again,
Thom
Thank You Thom!
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