Friendships
“Our friendships become deep, and we experience the warmth and caring which
results from addicts sharing recovery and a new life.”
IP No.19, “Self-Acceptance”
Most of us come to Narcotics Anonymous with few genuine friends. And most of us
arrive without the slightest understanding of what it takes to build lasting
friendships. Over time, though, we learn that friendships require work. At one time
or another, all friendships are challenging. Like any relationship, friendship is a
learning process.
Our friends love us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves. The old saying, “The
truth will set you free, but first it will make you furious,” seems especially true in
friendship. This can make friendships awkward. We may find ourselves avoiding
certain meetings rather than facing our friends. We have found, though, that friends
speak out of concern for us. They want the best for us. Our friends accept us despite
our shortcomings. They understand that we are still a work in progress.
Friends are there for us when we’re not there for ourselves. Friends help us gain
valuable perspective on the events in our lives and our recovery. It is important that
we actively cultivate friendships, for we have learned that we cannot recover alone.
Just for today: I will be grateful for the friends I have. I will take an active part in my
friendships.