Any lengths
“…I was ready to go to any lengths to stay clean.”
Basic Text, p. 217
“Any lengths?” newcomers ask. “What do you mean, any lengths?” Looking back at
our active addiction and the lengths we were willing to go in order to stay high can
help to explain. Were we willing to drive many miles to get drugs? Yes, we usually
were. Then it makes sense that, if we are as concerned about staying clean as we
were about using, we will try anything to find a ride to a meeting.
In our addiction, didn’t we often do crazy, insane things or use unknown substances
at the direction of others? Then why do we often find it so hard to take direction in
recovery, especially when the direction is designed to help us grow? And when we
used, didn’t we often, in desperation, turn to our Higher Power, saying, “Please, just
get me out of this one!” Then why do we find it so hard to ask for God’s help in our
recovery?
When we used, we usually had an open mind when it came to finding ways and
means to get more drugs. If we can apply the same principle of open-mindedness to
our recovery, we may surprise ourselves by how easily we begin to grasp the NA
program. Our best thinking, it is often said, got us into the rooms of Narcotics
Anonymous. If we are willing to go to any lengths, follow directions, and stay openminded, we can stay clean.
Just for today: I am willing to go to any lengths to stay clean. I will become as openminded and ready to take direction as I need to be.