Spiritual Death
“For us, to use is to die, often in more ways than one.”
Basic Text, p.78
As newcomers, many of us came to our first meeting with only a small spark of life
remaining. That spark, our spirit, wants to survive. Narcotics Anonymous nurtures
that spirit. The love of our fellowship quickly fans that spark into a flame. With the
Twelve Steps and the love of other recovering addicts, we begin to blossom into that
whole, vital human being our Higher Power intended us to be. We begin to enjoy life,
finding purpose in our existence. Each day we choose to stay clean, our spirit is
revitalized and our relationship with our God grows. Our spirit becomes stronger
each day we choose life by staying clean.
Despite the fact that our new life in recovery is rewarding, the urge to use can
sometimes be overwhelming. When everything in our lives seems to go wrong, a
return to using can seem like the only way out. But we know what the consequence
will be if we use-the loss of our carefully nurtured spirituality. We have traveled too
far along the spiritual path to dishonor our spirit by using. Snuffing the spiritual
flame we have worked so hard to restore in out recovery is too dear a price to pay
for getting high.
Just for today: I am grateful that my spirit is strong and vital. Today, I will honor
that spirit by staying clean.