Narcotics Anonymous

Just For Today - Daily Email Service

   June 8                                                The only requirement

   "This program offers hope.  All you have to bring with you is the desire
       to stop using and the willingness to try this new way of life."

                                                  IP No. 16, For the Newcomer

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   From time to time we wonder if we're "doing it right" in Narcotics
   Anonymous.  Are we attending enough meetings?  Are we using our sponsor,
   or working the steps, or speaking, or reading, or living the "right"
   way?  We value the fellowship of recovering addicts-we don't know what
   we'd do without it.  What if the way we're practicing our program is
   "wrong"?  Does that make us "bad" NA members?

   We can settle our insecurities by reviewing our Third Tradition, which
   assures us that "the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop
   using." There aren't any rules that say we've got to attend this
   many meetings or these particular meetings, or work the steps this way at
   this pace, or live our lives to suit these people in order to remain NA
   members in good standing.

   It's true that, if we want the kind of recovery we see in members we
   respect, we'll want to practice the kind of program that's made their
   recovery possible.  But NA is a fellowship of freedom; we work the program
   the best way for us, not for someone else.   The only requirement for
   membership is a desire to stop using.

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   Just for today:  I will look at the program I'm working in light of my
   own recovery.  I will practice that program to the best of my ability.