August 20

Pain is what brought many of us to Narcotics Anonymous. Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and we can add Emotional pain, forced us to seek relief. Many of us tried other solutions through religion, medicine, other people and other institutions.

After all these methods failed for us, we ended up in Narcotics Anonymous. For most of us, it was the last thing we tried, but it was the first that worked.

The last house on the block you could say. After years of selfinflicted pain, as a result of addiction, we finally sought help. In Narcotics Anonymous we were told from other members that we didn't have to live this way, that we had a choice.

We heard we didn't have to hurt ourselves or others anymore. The pain led us to Surrender, first to the disease, then to the Spiritual Principles of N.A. Our Second Step tells us that the pain of living without drugs or anything to replace them; forces us to seek a Power Greater Than Ourselves that can relieve our obsession to use. Withdrawal is pain that also is relieved by this Power.

The pain we experience as a result of addiction cannot be treated with more drugs. Ours is a Spiritual problem, not a medical one. Living by Spiritual Principles as we work the Steps with a N.A.

Sponsor, relieves us from our self-imposed pain. Living The Program helps us to live life to the fullest without needing to escape. Living Clean and by Spiritual Principles prevents us from causing more pain to ourselves and others.

We progress toward Healthy Living, Physically, Mentally, Spirituality and Emotionally and yes in that order. Recovery in N.A. is an uphill Journey. We are Granted a Daily Reprieve, and that's continual depending on our Spiritual Maintenance.