Grey Book Reflection
The only thing we ask of our members is that they have this desire. Without it, they are doomed, but with it miracles have happened.
Gray Book, p. 97 (Tradition Three, Lines 22-24)
Our Third Tradition tells us that the only requirement for Narcotics Anonymous membership, is a desire to stop using drugs. We don't have to be Clean when we first come to Narcotics Anonymous. We are told at our first meeting, to keep coming back, but to come back Clean.
The Program of Narcotics Anonymous only works through Complete and Total Abstinence from all mind-mood altering drugs. Our level of desire for ourselves can be measured by our Actions, Willingness is just a start. Regardless of our Cleanliness we can still call ourselves members. Many of our members return to active addiction.
This doesn't mean they are no longer members. At that point our members need to come back as soon as possible, and get Clean.
Desire must be our first acquirement, without it we are doomed, our Literature states. Once we are Completely and Totally Clean we can start to Recover. Our First Step reminds us that social acceptability, which includes Clean time, does not equal Recovery.
Recovery can be seen as a change of attitudes and behaviors. This change is only possible through Living the Spiritual Principles of Narcotics Anonymous. These Principles are a result of working and applying the Steps and then the Traditions of our Program.
Every day Living has to include the Practice of these Spiritual Principles, for our Recovery to be of any effect. Our Daily Reprieve is dependent on our Spiritual Progress. Clean Time is our Cornerstone.
Clean Time is a fence around our Recovery. Without it nothing can Grow. It all starts with a Desire to stop using.