Do the NA Steps Really Work?

What are the 12 steps of NA: Learning about NA Steps

Narcotics Anonymous offers a recovery method and support network inseparably linked together. One of the bases to NA's success is the therapeutic importance of addicts working with other addicts. NA members share their accomplishments and struggles in overcoming addiction and having drug-free productive lives by using the process of the principles encompassed within the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous and Twelve Traditions of NA steps. These philosophies are the core of the NA recovery program. Principles integrated within the NA steps consist of:

• Admitting there is a problem
• Seeking help
• Engaging in an in-depth self-examination
• Confidential self-disclosure
• Making amends for harm done
• Helping other drug addicts who want to recover

Essential to the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous program is that it stresses the practices of spiritual principles. NA itself is non-religious, and every member is encouraged to develop a distinct understanding, religious or not, of this "spiritual awakening."

The 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous

1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction; that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Narcotics Anonymous initial leaflet, known amongst its members as "the White Booklet," defines Narcotics Anonymous in this way:

"NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We ... meet regularly to help each other stay clean. ... We are not interested in what or how much you used ... but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help."

Its membership is available for all drug addicts, heedlessly of the specific drugs that are used. While adapting Alcohol Anonymous First Step, the specific word "addiction" was exchanged for "alcohol," therefore eliminating drug-specific language and echoing the "disease concept" of addiction.

If you or a loved one a is suffering with drug abuse, and have asked yourselves, what are the 12 steps of NA, ask no more. As stated above, this is a program that offers much needed support from other recovering addicts which is vital in the recovery process and remaining clean and sober. The 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous, have been around for a very long time and has helped an immeasurable number of addicts, with much needed support and guidance to living a drug free life.

Source:

http://lblna.org/factsaboutna.htm