April 20

For most of us in Narcotics Anonymous, our disease affected every area of our Lives. It affected ourselves at a very deep level. Toward the end of our using, it was evident that our Jobs, Friends, Family and almost everyone we came in contact with was affected by our addiction.

Our Literature reminds us that, "We were constantly searching for "the answer" -that person, place or thing that would make everything all right. " As our addiction progressed our world got smaller and smaller. The disease isolated us from people unless it had to do with getting, using or future resource. We were addicted to people as well as the drugs, we used them as well.

The people who truly Loved us were the last ones to let go. Then, and only then is when we were able to start to hit our bottoms.

The people, places and things that enabled our using were soon not to be found. Isolation was the beginning and the end of our bottoms.

In desperation, we sought Help from each other in Narcotics Anonymous. Here, we heard that we had to shift our dependence to a Loving, Caring Power that can relieve our obsession to use. This was a healthy dependence and its results were Freedom and Hope from active addiction.

Recovery in Narcotics Anonymous taught us about self-care, not self-help. We learned about a healthy reliance that included our Higher Power and others. For the first time in a very long time, we were present in our own Lives.

We can be there for others as well. If our past Relationships were real, they will survive. As we Progress with our Spiritual Principles our Amends cause changes in us and sometimes in others. We allow people to be there for us in a healthy manner. The Basic Text says, "Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth. "