Sharing the Message Nov / Dec 2015 The Ozark Area Newsletter

ozarkasc.com Vol. 1

The first step of Narcotics Anonymous requires me to

admit that I am powerless over my addiction because

my life had become unmanageable. When I came to

Narcotics Anonymous and began working the first

step, a total transformation occurred in my life. I

began to feel alive again, as I am sure many of us do.

While working this crucial step - building the

foundation of my recovery, I was finally able to see my

addiction for what it truly was. Learning I had to

become honest with myself, my addiction, and my

complete powerlessness. Looking back, I realize this

step changed my life. The spiritual principal of honesty

has set a foundation for the rest of my life in recovery.

No longer did I have to deceive myself or believe the

lie that I was just a horrible person with no hope.

Today I apply the spiritual principle I learned in the

first step to all aspects of my life, seeing that I am

truly powerless with people, places, and things. Just

like accepting I am powerless over drugs, I see how I

can apply that to all areas of my life. And when I am

able to do so, it brings peace to all areas of my life. I

am an addict with the disease of addiction and

recovery is now possible.

Kasey S. (5th Tradition)

Basic Text Quote!

Our inability to control our usage of drugs is a symptom of the disease of addiction. We are

powerless not only over drugs, but our addiction as well. We need to admit this in order to

recover. Addiction is a physical, mental and spiritual disease, affecting every area of our lives.

(Step One - pg. 20, 6th

Edition)

And now this message!

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PLEASE NOTE: The opinions expressed herein

are those of the individual contributor, and not the

opinions of the Narcotics Anonymous as a whole. The Handbook for Narcotics Anonymous states that: “The

12 Traditions of NA should serve as the basic guidelines for

editing your newsletter… the language of NA recovery

should be used.” This newsletter will be examined by our

Public Relations Subcommittee before it is distributed to

ensure we are keeping in line with our traditions. We

welcome any feedback in accordance with our traditions.

Please indicate if you would like that feedback published.

Clean Date: 7-26-13 Belly Button Birthday: June 14 Home Group: But Do It Favorite Recovery Slogan: It Is What It Is Hi! My name is Amber L. And I'm a grateful recovering addict. I have been clean for 25 months IN A ROW (as of right this min)! My life has always been insane. Growing up a 5th generation addict means I grew up in severe dysfunction and life was one traumatic event after another; from abuse and neglect to bad foster homes and youth shelters. I started smoking pot at 13 and I had felt I had found a solution. Within a year I was drinking, using anything I could to get high, and making everyone's life as miserable as I was. Suddenly I was creating my own traumatic events; one bad choice after another. The next 20 years was filled with me running from myself. Running from my charges, running from my responsibilities and running from every bad decision I ever made. Trying to explain my life can easily be described as a pack of black cat fire crackers. The first time I smoked pot, it lit that first firecracker. And my life was a series of explosions one right after another. Jails, institutions, the death of loved ones, the birth of beautiful babies, several marriages. The only constancy in my life was the drugs and the alcohol. I couldn't keep anyone in my life. Not even my beautiful babies. It didn't matter how much I loved them or how hard I tried to do right by them I just couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. The beginning of the end for me was the most horrific experience of my life. I couldn't stop using even though I knew it was killing me. I cried every time I had to use. Up until this moment I thought I had a choice to use. I thought I was using because I wanted to and all of the sudden it was as if I was possessed. I just couldn't stop. I kept praying this time it wasn't going to kill me. It was like playing Russian roulette and never spinning the barrel. I knew it was only a matter of time before something happened. I just knew my life would soon be ending and I didn’t want to die. Dirk and I were in way too deep this time. His mind was fried and I couldn't stop. The hallucinations were alive to him, he was terrified but we couldn't stop. Drugs stopped the pain. That's what we always thought. But this wasn't working anymore. We were trapped in a nightmare we had created and couldn't wrap our heads around it. I thought I was a victim of circumstances. We couldn't tell anyone because we would lose our kids again. It was another hopeless situation we had got ourselves into yet again. We moved to Joplin in hopes of getting the help we needed. But in one short week Dirk (late husband) took his own life. It took me 5 months before I could find the courage it walk into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous. It took every bit of willingness I had left just to walk in and sit down. It took weeks before the fog lifted so I could hear what was being said in the meetings. But what I remembered was them reiterating; Get a sponsor, Work the steps, go to meetings, read the literature and I don't have to use NO MATTER WHAT. They were doing it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Maybe I could to. So I started taking their suggestions. 25 months later here I am.... clean.... one day at a time.... by not picking up no matter what.... working the steps with a fabulous sponsor whom I trust with my life and I go to a ton of meetings. I go to out of town meetings and even out of state meetings. For fun, I do service work and spoil my grandkids. I am active in my community and very present in the lives of my children. I'm happily married to a great man who doesn't know firsthand what it's like to be an addict. I get to be a sponsor to some amazing young ladies and am moving forward in a career I thought would never come to life. I am truly living today. By the grace of my higher power I am alive. The promise of Narcotics Anonymous is true, an addict, any addict can be freed from the desire to use. I am an active member of the greatest home group and I have been involved in service work since I was 3 months clean. I am currently halfway through my 2nd round of steps. And I have the greatest sponsor ever. I also have the privilege of doing H&I every month with some of the greatest women I have ever met. If I have only one suggestion to the newcomer it would be to take all the suggestions of the old timers. Those with some clean time, some peace, wisdom and most importantly someone you can respect. The NA program is alive because of the people in the rooms that give it life. Find your "greatest home group ever" and find your "greatest sponsor ever ". If I can do this, anyone can. In loving service, Amber L.

September & October

Anniversaries

Brian C. 21 yrs. But Do It Anna C. 6 yrs. Rick W. 6 yrs. Terry L. 11 yrs. Becky 21 yrs. Kelly Y. 21 yrs. Miracles Meri S. 9 yrs. Zoey L. 6 yrs. Point of Turning Lee W. 1 yr. Toni 1 yr. Trenda L. 1 yr.

TOTAL CLEANTIME IS: 104 YEARS!!!

We’ve all heard the term meeting makers make it. Or

maybe it was suggested to us by an “old timer” to do

ninety meetings in ninety days. Page 55 in the basic

text states “A meeting a day for the first ninety days

is a good idea .” Not to mention it’s one of the 5 basic

suggestions “GO TO MEETINGS.” No matter how it’s

said or who says it, the bottom line is meetings are a

vital tool in the recovery process.

In my experience, meetings are where I found a group

of men to support me and help my through all aspects

of life and the recovery process. I remember one of my

first meetings; sitting in the room identifying myself as

an addict and hearing a room full of people say hello

still gives me goosebumps to this day. I found the

identification and acceptance I needed to stay clean.

And I was encouraged to keep coming back. That was an

amazing feeling. I went to meetings at first with no

idea how to share but knew that was where I was

supposed to be. As time went by, I was taught meeting

etiquette as well as what’s for a meeting and what’s for

my sponsor. When things were going good, I went to a

meeting to share my hopes. I made friends as time

passed and they have become my family. So when my

life is falling apart and I have lost hope, I can go to a

meeting and share that as well.

I’ve learned through the years everything I need is in

a meeting; people to love me, people to show me how to

live and how not to live, how to find recovery or stay

abstinent. I go to meetings to find out what happens to

people who go to meetings; watch them grow, change,

find recovery and have spiritual awakenings. But – I also

find out what happens to people who don't go to

meetings. Meeting makers make it I’ve heard, so I will

continue to make meeting attendance a part of my

recovery.

Anonymous (5th Tradition)

It’s pretty simple………

Step One: You messed up!

Step Two: It can be fixed.

Step Three: But not by you!

Why I Stayed At first I stayed because of fear and desperation. Drugs no longer took me where I wanted to go. I was looking at prison in 2 different states and my life was in complete chaos. Definitely not the story I had planned for my life. Separated from my children for their own protection, getting divorced, unemployable…..how had things gone so bad? In the rooms of NA I found hope and a way of life free from the chains of addiction. Those who were working the program were changing, could I commit to freedom? Yes, one day at a time I seek God’s will and direction in my life. I can recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. I have recovered and today live a life based on spiritual principles guided by a loving God of power, grace, hope, direction and forgiveness. Today I stay in the rooms because I can only keep what I have by giving it away. I remember all the clean addicts who MADE time to help me recover, who helped me learn to live again…clean. I learned to experience feelings, work through my past and reclaim my present. It’s true – if I can do it, so can you! It’s a privilege to give back to Narcotics Anonymous and a duty that comes with being given a life to live again. I am here to help others and to be available to do what this fellowship requires of me. When I watch step workers break free from bondage, develop a relationship with God, trust the process, and become productive members of society….that’s why I stay. Mark M (Against All Odds)

FINDING A HOME GROUP You might hear it said if you don’t have a home group you are homeless. You might hear it said if you don’t think your home group is the best one in the world you might want to get another home group. Whatever you hear or think about it, having a home group is a good idea. It will keep you accountable. It will keep you clean, and it will give you a sense of importance, belonging and responsibility. You will have a say in what goes on and have a place to go where you will hear the message and carry the message. It is the beginning of service work for the newcomers. If you have a key to the door that opens your home group then you have the most important service position in the world. If you belong to a home group you will create an atmosphere of recovery and somewhere safe for the newcomer to go for that hour. It will be like a second home, members become like family members that you will get to know and love. You will feel safe, secure and feel a part of. So having a home group is a good idea.

Love and Service,

Anonymous (But Do It)

A word from our Area Chair………

Hotdogs will keep you clean! Dale S. (But Do It)

Against All Odds Annual Turkey Bowl November 7

Doors open @ 5 pm

Ozark Area Chili Cook Off November 14, 2015

6pm – 10 pm

H&I Workshop November 14, 2015

5 pm – 6 pm *held prior to Chili Cook Off

Ozark Area New Year’s Eve Dance More will be revealed

For more information on these events, see the flyers in

your home group OR on our Area’s website:

www.ozarkasc.com

After attending a workshop on building strong home groups

at the Show-Me Regional meeting, I went to the Narcotics

Anonymous World Services’ (NAWS) website to check out

my home group. We were not listed at all. I also saw

locations listed that no longer hold meetings. Please take a

few minutes to check if your home group is listed with

current information. We want people to be able to find us!!

The website is na.org Meri S. (Miracles)

Surrender

I came into Narcotics Anonymous many times and picked up a white key tag, but I never truly was ready to

surrender. I fought my disease of addiction in every way possible. I tried using different drugs and only on the

weekends, but nothing worked for me. I always went back to my drug of choice on a daily use. I heard in the N.A.

meetings to just surrender. My way wasn’t working because I kept ending up in jails and treatment centers. I

wanted to stop using drugs but I didn’t know how to stop and stay stopped. It wasn’t until I became homeless -

until I became willing to try something different.

I came back to the rooms of N.A. and I heard an addict who was giving out the key tags ask if anyone would like to

surrender to a new way of life and stop the fighting. He asked if anyone would like a white key tag, which is the

international color for surrender. That’s when I realized that the fight was over and I found the willingness to try

something different. At first, I only wanted to surrender some things not all things. I didn’t like all the suggestions

they gave me, but I had the open mindedness to try something different. I finally got honest, stopped the fight and

surrendered.

Just for today, I surrender to the fact that I have the disease but, today I have choices and I choose not to use today.

Having the willingness to work the steps and follow the other suggestions of the program, I have found a new way

to live. Surrender is not just for the newcomer. There are times in our recovery that we become complacent, and

complacency can land us in deep trouble. When we find we are still powerless, our lives again unmanageable, we

need to seek a power greater than ourselves. Just for today, I will surrender.

Ed H. (Miracles)

WHO IS AN ADDICT? Fill in the blanks. The page numbers listed are from the NA Basic Text Chapter “Who Is An Addict?” – 6th Edition.

Addiction is a ________________________ that involves more than the use of drugs. pg 3

One _______________________ of our addiction was our inability to deal with life on life’s terms. pg 4

We were forced to ____________________ any way that we could. pg 4

We have a disease, but we do ____________________. pg 8

The only alternatives to recovery are jails, institutions, _____________________ and death. pg 8

We avoided the _________________ of our addiction. pg 5

Some of us used, misused and ______________________ drugs and still did not consider ourselves addicts. pg 4

Through _______________________ and through working the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, our lives have become useful. pg 8

Very simply, an ____________________is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs. pg 3

Some of us feel lonely because of __________________________between us and other members. pg 6

Most of us do not have to think twice about this ____________________. pg 3

We may have tried to moderate, _____________________ or even stop using… pg 7

We fell into a _____________________ of selective thinking. pg 4

The ______________________available to us came from misinformed people. pg 3

Those of us who don’t die from the disease will go on to prison, mental institutions or complete demoralization

as the disease _________________________ pg. 7 We had to reach our ________________, before we were willing to stop. pg 7

We did not __________________ to become addicts. pg 3

We suspected that we had lost control over the drugs and had no _______________ to stop. pg 6

Like other _________________diseases, addiction can be arrested. pg 5

Our world shrank and _______________________became our life. pg 4

The disease is chronic, __________________________ and fatal. pg 7

The fact was that we could not use any mind-altering or mood-changing ______________________, including marijuana and alcohol, successfully. pg 4

Some addicts need to go to greater _______________________ than others. pg 6

While ___________________, we lived in another world. pg 6

We begin to treat our disease by not _____________________. pg 8

As our addiction progressed, many of us found ourselves in and out of __________________________. pg 5

Our addiction __________________ us. pg 7

We ________________what it was like before we started using; we forgot about social graces. pg 6

When we did seek help, we were only looking for the _____________________ of pain. pg 5

Once we ____________________ourselves as addicts, help becomes possible. pg 8

Our __________________ to drugs is what makes us addicts, not how much we use. pg 5

Some of us first saw the ________________________ of addiction on the people closest to us. pg 7

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