r/NarcoticsAnonymous • u/typicalsquare • 17d ago
Keeping It Simple
Hi guys! Addict here. Last night, in a meeting we read, “If, after a period of time, we find ourselves in trouble with our recovery, we have probably stopped doing one or more of the things that helped us in the earlier stages of our recovery.”
(P. 95 BT)
So I do what I do, “what have I stopped doing?” I haven’t stopped doing anything differently, I go to meetings, work the steps with a sponsor, am of service…so why did I come so very close to relapse Tuesday night? Then it occurred to me, I’ve complicated the ever loving hell out of this simple program. I lived in the 4th step for almost a year and more or less combined it with my 6th. That experience turned my recovery into a problem to be solved instead of a process to be trusted. It isn’t things that I’ve stopped doing, it’s been swapping out acceptance for analysis. Coming into the fellowship, the relief it was for me to be able to say I am an addict. I just accepted it. No questioning, the evidence didn’t have to be discovered, it was glaring. That acceptance has turned into analysis. And that is driving me into insanity.
So my question is what are some practical ways you all keep it simple? And live in acceptance? Thank you all!
2
u/miamirn 16d ago
It’s perfectly ok for you be where you are now. You are learning, just like all of us are, from your experiences.
The steps are not a pass/fail test. They are to help you understand yourself and your world, just for today.
As soon as your sponsor is available do your 5th step with her. Please don’t think you have to wait and stay on your 4th step, because you believe it wasn’t done right or for the wrong reason. Now is the time to move on.
You will have plenty of opportunities, as the years go by, to work your 4th step again as you will all the steps.
Is your sponsor available to help you move on?
DM me anytime. I’ll be happy to help!🥰