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~ 2006 Form ~
Why It Works: 12 Traditions
TRADITION THREE
"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using."THIS INPUT FOR THIS CHAPTER
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Tradition Three
As for membership in NA; our position ought be one of unrestricted and inclusive participation. If spiritual progress was our goal, how could we claim such progress if we were to erect even the slightest barrier between ourselves and the still using or suffering addict? More often than not, these addicts will come to us as non-conformists, whereas many of us can identify with such a position. Therefore, we ought neither insist nor suggest that they conform, not even that they meet us at the half-way point. These individuals are often too sick, weak, and frightened to overcome any hurdles. In erecting them we may be sentencing our new members if not to death, to many more years of dereliction and institutions.
Though we are not granted the power to impose conformity, we do have the power of example. Unable to spiritually control their thoughts, feelings, and actions, we can rely on our faith in a loving God that they will come to their own understanding in their own time. Eventually all addicts will conform to the principals that guarantee their survival, if not, they sicken and possibly die. These are facts of our experience.
Our new members are the lifeblood of our fellowship and our service to these members becomes the heartbeat of NA. Today, grateful for our lives as protected by a loving God, we become willing to venture into the darkness where they are and demonstrate that we truly do care and understand. We can welcome them to join us as they are, since we have faith today that they can no longer harm us, no matter what their situation, where they came from, or how they got here. We can allow them to become a member when they say so.
Any addict, regardless of any other problem they face, is welcomed to find their home in NA. Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship which is all inclusive with respect to any mood-changing, mind altering substances. All that is required is that one thinks they have a drug problem and has a desire to stop, nothing more, nothing less.
Though we value the principle of �compete abstinence,� such a principle cannot be used as justification to exclude an addict from, or withhold an equal membership status. To deny any addict�s full privileges may lead one to believe that �desire� is not enough. If we are to seek an atmosphere of recovery in our meetings, such an atmosphere will also compliment each spiritual principle embodied in our steps and traditions. The practice of acceptance, patience, tolerance, and unconditional love support our aim of equality, which in turn prevents us from creating a �second class� of membership.
Desire, is also a quality which is necessary to understand. Desire is often quite personal to each and every one of us. To some this word brings forth in influx of emotions ranging from extreme fear, to intense hurt and near unbearable anxiety. To others it may not be so severe. Each of us has traveled different paths in our lives and has unique experiences in respect to others. It does not matter what got us here but that we accept each other as members in an atmosphere free from judgment.
It does not matter what, or how much any person used. Using is a term relative to each member as well. Neither excessive consumption nor sporadic maintenance changes the status of our membership. Each has paid the price for membership with their pain and each deserves the same chance at recovery as any other addict. We have learned that the disease of addiction knows no boundaries and holds no hostages. Any addict, regardless of the drug they used, duration they used, or length of abstinence is subject to the same misery, dereliction, institutionalization, and death as the next.
- from member in Los Angeles
TRADITION 3
"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using."
I have been a member of 12 step fellowships before. However, I have never experienced recovery. Recovery as it applies to me, is total abstinence from all drugs, in conjunction with an active change in ideas, attitudes and behaviors. Membership requires a commitment to making meetings, having a sponsor, using a sponsor and practicing spiritual principles.
This tradition insures that recovery is available to all who seek recovery in NA. It does not matter who they are or where they come from. A persons sex, race, creed or religion cannot exclude them from the right to recover in NA. There are no classes of membership in NA; we are all equal in NA.
Initially recovery begins by not using drugs. For me drugs are any mind or mood altering substance. There is no particular substance that a person must use to become a member. NA focuses on the disease of addiction and its affects on a persons mind, body and spirit. Rather than affects of a specific substance on a persons being. Membership is open to anyone, no matter what someone has used or not used.
No member can quantify another members desire. I have no right to judge another persons desire to stay clean. This at times, can be difficult for me. When I examine my recovery track record, up to 2003, all of the evidence would have suggested that I would not recover, this did not discourage the people in NA. The people in NA believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. I was encouraged and I was made to feel welcome in NA. Looking back, I felt like gasoline and matches were thrown on my desire and that fire still burns today.
I show newer members that recovery is available in NA by the way I conduct myself before, during and after the meetings. I believe in a solution orientated recovery, focusing less on my feelings and the problems. When I have a casual conversation after the meeting or if I am speaking at a meeting I do my best to live what I speak about. I am enthusiastic about my recovery and I enjoy my life. I saw these qualities in the people that were recovering in NA and I was attracted by the way they were living and the information on how God changed their lives.
This tradition helps me in working with others and in accepting other people right where they are, not where I think they should be. Tradition 3 tells me that I am not great or good enough to get anyone clean. An addict will not stop until they are ready stop; this was the case with me. Therefore, as long as I use a literature based approach and my personal experience with the literature in my work with others, I cannot beat myself up if people relapse or take credit for their recovery. All I can do is my job and let God do his job. In the end I believe it is the love that heals us.
John H
Queens, New York - May 22, 2006
persons have visited this page since April 18, 2006
Reprinted from the
N.A. FELLOWSHIP USE ONLY
Copyright � December 1998
Victor Hugo Sewell, Jr.
N.A. Foundation Group
1516 B Live Oak Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
[email protected]
All rights reserved. This draft may be copied by members of Narcotics Anonymous for the purpose of writing input for future drafts, enhancing the recovery of NA members and for the general welfare of the Narcotics Anonymous Fellowship as a whole. The use of an individual name is simply a registration requirement of the Library of Congress and not a departure from the spirit or letter of the Pledge, Preface or Introduction of this book. Any reproduction by individuals or organizations outside the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous is prohibited. Any reproduction of this document for personal or corporate monetary gain is prohibited.
Last update March 27, 2007