Is Narcotics Anonymous Effective?

YES . . . if You Work the Program

NA: education, community & spirituality

It seems every alcohol and drug recovery program pushes attendance at 12-step meetings.  If not Alcoholic Anonymous it is Narcotics Anonymous or even the Christian based Celebrate Recovery.  Why go? Do these support groups work? 

Studies have proven that active involvement with Narcotics Anonymous will "reduce drug and alcohol use."  When a person is struggling with overcoming an addiction, participating in recovery counseling and attending a 12-step support group is an effective path of recovery.  When recovery counseling is completed, a 12-step program provides ongoing support and community.  Hanging out with others who have had similar experiences and are succeeding in staying clean is encouraging and helpful.  

12-Step programs provide an opportunity to have a sponsor who will "walk with you" through the times of temptation and feared relapse.  Another beauty of 12-Step programs is you will have the opportunity to serve others.  Once you have attended a meeting for a period of weeks, you will notice new members coming who are struggling to get off drugs or alcohol.  You, with your newfound sobriety - will be able to tell your story of how you are managing your days of staying clean.  As you help someone else, it is amazing how that motivates you to stay clean.  

For general information on Narcotics Anonymous check out this online article:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotics_Anonymous

For more information on Narcotics Anonymous, download the free pamphlet "Introduction to NA Meetings" at www.stages2change.com 

Changing the Stinkin' Thinkin'

From Shame to Truth

I went to the gym yesterday.  I have known for sometime that I need to get back into shape.  

I can blame my new weight gain on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day and Birthdays . . . but in reality I have become undisciplined in my eating and exercise habits.  

At the gym I had a young buff trainer named Jonathan.  He probably thought I looked like his mother.  He showed me how to maneuver the weights and the seats so I could find the best position for me as I attempted strength training.  He showed me how to use the tread mill.   I had to be attached with a clip - in case I fell off the tread mill  it would stop. 

The tread mill was cool, I could wear headphones and watch CNN or Fox News at the same time I was walking.  The second day I used the tread mill, I realized I could also see myself walking. The four tread mills were set along a mirrored wall.   I watched myself walking.  At first I did not recognize myself.  Who is that middle aged, sweaty and overweight lady?  

I carry an image of what I look like in my head.  The image in the mirror that day was not the same picture that is in my head.  I see myself as much younger, much less wrinkled, trimmer and there are no gray hairs.  

What image do you carry of yourself?   Does it match the one in the mirror?  

My father is a youthful 80 year old.  He is active, sane, witty and healthy.  One day I asked him what it is like to be his age. How do you see yourself?  

He said, "I see myself as a 25 year old man." 

Sometimes a person with a beautiful and healthy body sees themselves as ugly and fat.  Again there is a discrepancy between the true image and the imagined self image. 

In the dictionary shame is defined as,

"A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace."

When a person experiences negative shame - they will feel unrealistic guilt or a sense of "badness" about them self.  Statements like:

* "I am bad."

* "I am unlovable." 

* "I am garbage."

* "I am not worthy." 

are all shame based statements.  They are simply not true statements.  To overcome negative shame a person must begin to see and embrace the truth about themselves. 

For an aging person, they may need to embrace the fact that they are no longer young. That does not mean they are not beautiful. Beauty comes from the inside.  For the person who is young and attractive yet feels they are fat and ugly - they may need to learn that they are not ugly - and they are worthy.

Replacing old tapes with new messages - that is a first step in overcoming shameful thinking.  Taking the stinkin thinkin' (as the 12 step programs call it) of "I am bad and unworthy" and saying to yourself 

"I have made mistakes, yes, however I am worthy and I have purpose."

As a person takes steps to recovery they will consider their thoughts and begin to replace negative thinking with truthful thinking. To learn more about overcoming addiction check out the free resources at www.Stages2Change.com