Chattanooga Area
of Narcotics Anonymous
Drug Problem?
Find a Meeting
August 27, 2026 |
Choosing life |
| Page 249 |
| “Change from self-destructive patterns of life became necessary.” |
| Basic Text, p. 15 |
| Active addiction is a smoldering death-wish. Each of us courted death every time we used. Our lifestyles, too, put us at risk. The life of an addict is sold cheaply with every day and every dose. In recovery, the first pattern we change is the pattern of using. Staying clean is the start of our journey into life. But our self-destructive behavior usually went far deeper than just our using. Even in recovery, we may still treat ourselves as if we are worthless. When we treat ourselves badly, we feel badly. And when we feel badly, we seek relief–maybe even in our old solution, drugs. Choosing recovery means choosing life. We decide each day that we want to live and be free. Each time we avoid self-destructive behavior, we choose recovery. |
| Just for Today: I will choose life by choosing recovery. I will take care of myself. |
| Copyright (c) 2007-2026, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
August 27, 2026 |
Discernment and Autonomy |
| Page 247 |
| “As we mature in recovery, we learn to exercise sound judgment in how we make decisions, place our trust, and meet our responsibilities.” |
| Guiding Principles, Tradition Four, Opening Essay |
| Stepwork, living clean, and the passage of time bring the gift of maturity to NA members. We gather practical experience as we take on various roles in NA–as home-group members, sponsors, and trusted servants. Each allows us to grapple with the meaning and application of the Traditions in real-life contexts and become more skilled at discernment as we do. We grasp how each Tradition works individually and discern how the tension between them creates balance. For example, Tradition Four’s assertion that “each group should be autonomous” makes it a favorite, especially when we want to validate any unconventional means of fulfilling our primary purpose. The Tradition doesn’t stop there–unless we’re trying to manipulate–and what follows provides some pretty clear instructions about the limits to autonomy: “except in matters affecting other groups or NA as a whole.” The other eleven Traditions point to the kinds of things that threaten to do just that. Being mature and responsible members of NA–or at least aspiring to be–we lean into discernment to sort out whether or not expressions of autonomy are in harmony with the principles of the other Traditions. To make sound decisions, we invite a loving Higher Power to influence our group conscience, as Tradition Two suggests. NA groups and communities arrive at group conscience by different paths, but we share some common markers: We come together in unity, we honor and include multiple perspectives, and we create space for honest and open communication. When we listen for the will of a loving God, we are practicing discernment. It pays off as we find a spiritual way forward, enlist trustworthy members to serve, and meet our responsibilities to provide them with the resources and support they need to carry out the work. |
| I will review my personal decision-making process and be more discerning about how I contribute to shaping my group’s conscience. Sound judgment–my own and my group’s–is a worthy goal. |
| Copyright (c) 2007-2026, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |
About NA
Anonymity
The basic premise of anonymity allows addicts to attend meetings without fear of legal or social repercussions. This is an important consideration for an addict thinking about going to a meeting for the first time. Anonymity also supports an atmosphere of equality in meetings. It helps insure that no individual’s personality or circumstance will be considered more important than the message of recovery shared in NA.
Who are members of NA?
Anyone who wants to stop using drugs may become a member of Narcotics Anonymous. Membership is not limited to addicts using any particular drug. Those who feel they may have a problem with drugs, legal or illegal, including alcohol, are welcome in NA. Recovery in NA focuses on the problem of addiction, not on any particular drug.
How does NA work?
Addicts helping each other recover are the foundation of NA. Members meet regularly to talk about their experiences in recovery. More experienced members (known as sponsors) work individually with newer members. The core of the NA program is the Twelve Steps. These “steps” are a set of guidelines outlining a practical approach to recovery. By following these guidelines and working closely with other members, addicts learn to stop using drugs and face the challenges of daily living.
Narcotics Anonymous is not a religious organization and does not mandate any particular belief system. It does teach basic spiritual principles such as honesty, open-mindedness, faith, willingness, and humility that may be applied in everyday life. The specific practical application of spiritual principles is determined by each individual. Recovery in NA is not a miracle cure that happens within a given period of time. It is a process, ongoing and personal. Members make an individual decision to join and recover at their own pace.
NA Meetings
Financial contributions from non-members are not accepted. Most NA meetings are held regularly at the same time and place each week, usually in a public facility. There are two basic types of meetings those that are open to the general public and those closed to the public (for addicts only). Meetings vary widely in format. Some formats are: participation, speaker, question and answer, topic discussion, and some have a combination of these formats. The function of any meeting is always the same: to provide a suitable and reliable environment for personal recovery.
NA’s primary approach to recovery is its belief in the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction. NA meetings are informally structured, held in space rented by the group, and are led by members who take turns opening and closing the meeting. NA meetings and other services are funded entirely by member contributions and the sale of recovery literature.
Reprinted from A Resource In Your Community.
Anonymous World Services, Inc.
PO Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA 91409
August 27, 2026 |
Choosing life |
| Page 249 |
| “Change from self-destructive patterns of life became necessary.” |
| Basic Text, p. 15 |
| Active addiction is a smoldering death-wish. Each of us courted death every time we used. Our lifestyles, too, put us at risk. The life of an addict is sold cheaply with every day and every dose. In recovery, the first pattern we change is the pattern of using. Staying clean is the start of our journey into life. But our self-destructive behavior usually went far deeper than just our using. Even in recovery, we may still treat ourselves as if we are worthless. When we treat ourselves badly, we feel badly. And when we feel badly, we seek relief–maybe even in our old solution, drugs. Choosing recovery means choosing life. We decide each day that we want to live and be free. Each time we avoid self-destructive behavior, we choose recovery. |
| Just for Today: I will choose life by choosing recovery. I will take care of myself. |
| Copyright (c) 2007-2026, NA World Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved |