New horizons
“My life is well-rounded and I am becoming a more comfortable version of myself,
not the neurotic, boring person that I thought I’d be without drugs.”
Basic Text p.262
Is there really life without drugs? Newcomers are sure that they are destined to lead
a humdrum existence once they quit using. That fear is far from reality.
Narcotics Anonymous opens the door to a new way of life for our members. The only
thing we lose in NA is our slavery to drugs. We gain a host of new friends, time to
pursue hobbies, the ability to be stably employed, even the capacity to pursue an
education if we so desire. We are able to start projects and see them through to
completion. We can go to a dance and feel comfortable, even if we have two left
feet. We start to budget money to travel, even if it’s only with a tent to a nearby
campsite. In recovery, we find out what interests us and pursue new pastimes. We
dare to dream.
Life is certainly different when we have the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous to return
to. Through the love we find in NA, we begin to believe in ourselves. Equipped with
this belief, we venture forth into the world to discover new horizons. Many times, the
world is a better place because an NA member has been there.
Just for today: I can live a well-rounded, comfortable life-a life I never dreamt
existed. Recovery has opened new horizons to me and equipped me to explore them.