The full message
“There is a special feeling for addicts when they discover that there are other people
who share their difficulties, past and present.”
Basic Text, p. 53
The wealth of our recovery is too good to keep to ourselves. Some of us believe that
when we talk in meetings, we should “remember the newcomer” and always try to
carry a positive message. But sometimes the most positive message we can carry is
that we are going through difficult times in our recovery and are staying clean in
spite of them!
Yes, it’s gratifying to send out a strong message of hope to our newer members.
After all, no one likes a whiner. But distressing things happen, and life on life’s terms
can send shock waves even through the recovery of long-time members of Narcotics
Anonymous. If we are equipped with the tools of the program, we can walk through
such turmoil and stay clean to tell the tale.
Recovery doesn’t happen all at once; it is an ongoing process, sometimes a struggle.
When we dilute the fullness of our message by neglecting to share about the tough
times we may walk through on our journey, we fail to allow newcomers the chance
to see that they, too, can stay clean, no matter what. If we share the full message of
recovery, we may not know who benefits, but we can be sure someone will.
Just for today: I will honestly share both the good times and the difficult times of my
recovery. I will remember that my experience in walking through adversity may
benefit another member.