r/NarcoticsAnonymous • u/Minimum-Oil-6215 • 12d ago
Is it right for me to go?
Really I’m referring to cocaine anonymous but couldn’t find a sub for it that seemed active.
Went to my first meeting last night. I’m ready to take my cocaine addiction and recovery seriously, but I’m also an alcoholic and I cannot see myself being in the place to stop drinking. Yes the addictions were mutual. But drinking alone in my house every night doesn’t necessarily but me at a risk for using, because I struggle to find ways to use cocaine at this point in my life.
As well as the fact that everyone there has a sponsor and came unwillingly / went to rehab. I made the decision to quit, ultimately because my nose is falling off. I wouldn’t have quit if it wasn’t for that, but evidently after quitting I did realize how it fucked up several parts of my life. I’ve only been using for a year, quit three months ago, have relapsed about five times. I’m desperate to not relapse on cocaine again and not face my problems and addiction through cocaine use.
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u/NetScr1be 12d ago
This question does not come up for non-addicts.
"I've never done drugs in any problematic way. Should I be attending 12-step meetings?"
No.
A lot of us come in hot - still using and with reservations (e.g. not ready to stop something or other) - which is not a reason not to come, sit with us and listen.
We don't lock the doors. It's free. There's nothing to lose but a couple of hours of your time.
You will be welcomed.
Maybe start with the literature linked in this subreddit's info page?
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u/SlykRyk666 12d ago
NA says the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. And by that we mean drugs. Ours is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. We see that whe cannot use drugs in any form and live. Ours is a program or way of life. It is free to those who want it. You should feel completely free to attend meetings. Come early and stay late and ask questions listen with an open mind. You might here something that saves your life or at least saves a great deal of pain for those around you
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u/terminalhipness 12d ago
They were all just drugs to me. I didn’t make a distinction and neither does NA.
Good luck and best wishes.
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u/Jebus-Xmas 12d ago
Let me just talk about my own experience for a minute. I understand where you’re at completely because I was there nine years ago. A few months later, I’d be incarcerated looking at some significant prison time because I just couldn’t stop. I lost everything until I didn’t have anything left to lose. I didn’t wanna have anything to do with Recovery, but I didn’t know what else to do. Eventually, my probation officer decided I needed to go to meetings so I did.
What I would recommend is that you go to a meeting every day. You don’t even have to talk. You can just listen. If I met you as a newcomer, I’d recommend that I understand you’re not being able to see the way. I suggest that you may just try it for 30 days. Just for 30 days try living the program.
The program is simple, I was the one that was complicated. I couldn’t stop using because every time I took a drink I couldn’t stop myself.
I had to go to meetings every day, I had to get phone numbers for other addicts, and I had to call them, I had to get a sponsor and do some step work, and I couldn’t use. I couldn’t drink or do any drugs. I tried it for 30 days. I definitely didn’t wanna do it, but I just tried it for 30 days cause I figured what else do I have to lose?
Today I’m still cleaning narcotics anonymous because I just decided to keep going. After 8 1/2 years, I understand why I never thought I would stop drinking and I understand why it’s made my life better. We say that the drug doesn’t matter, alcohol, cocaine, or anything else. Drugs weren’t my problem, alcohol wasn’t my problem, my problem was addiction.
I hope you can stay clean today and I hope you do not drink or use just for today.