Attraction
“Our public image consists of what we have to offer: a successful, proven way of
maintaining a drug-free lifestyle.”
Basic Text p. 72
Yes, we are attracting new members. More and more addicts are finding Narcotics
Anonymous. But how do we treat our newest members when they arrive, worn out
from their struggles with addiction? Do we reach out to newcomers who are standing
by themselves at our meetings, confused and uncertain? Are we willing to give them
rides to meetings? Do we still work one-on-one with the addict who suffers? Do we
give out our phone numbers? Are we eager to go on a Twelfth Step call, even if it
means getting up from our comfortable beds in the middle of the night? Will we work
with someone who has a different sexual orientation or is from another culture? Are
we generous with the gift of our time?
No doubt we were met with love and acceptance by our fellow addicts. What
attracted many of us to Narcotics Anonymous was the feeling that we had finally
found a place where we belonged. Are we offering that same sense of belonging to
our newer members? We cannot promote Narcotics Anonymous. But when we put
principles into action in our lives, we attract newer members to the NA way, just as
we were attracted to recovery.
Just for today: I will work with a newcomer. I will remember that I was once a
newcomer myself. I will seek to attract others with the same sense of belonging I’ve
found in NA.