Helping
How do I make the transition from caretaker or enabler to helper? The best way to help addicts is to seek help for myself first. One of life’s toughest lessons is that…
The Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon
There are times when I think I hate the Twelve Steps. When I am angry, sad, tired, and deep in grief, I know I am trying to exercise control over…
Acceptance And Willingness
I am learning in Nar-Anon that before I can make changes that are best for me, I have to accept the reality of my situation. Then I need the willingness…
Nobody’s Perfect
Just because I do not use drugs does not make me perfect. I came to Nar-Anon because of the addict, the imperfect one. There was nothing wrong with me. I…
Self-Supporting – Tradition Seven
When we open our meetings, we do a series of readings. Our group felt it would be helpful to not only read one tradition at the start of each meeting…
Halt
I am learning: Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. When I lose it with anyone at work or at home, I am usually one of the above. As…
No Expectations
One of the hardest things for me to grasp in Nar-Anon was the idea of having no expectations for the addict in my life. Having always had high expectations of everyone…
Step Seven Meditations
When I take Step Seven, I become humble and willing to accept my Higher Power’s help. I come to believe that everything is happening, as it should be. I trust…
Gift Of Honesty
In Nar-Anon, we work the Twelve Steps for ourselves. Step Four, “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves,” can appear to be a difficult and intimidating step. Possibly, because…
Detachment Takes Practice
At times, detachment has been hard for me. My sickness leads me to believe that I can say or do that one thing to help change the addict’s life. However, my…