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Step 12
of Narcotics Anonymous
By Terry
After completing the first 11 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, we
are now ready to begin the last and final Step of the 12 Step program. By
this time in our recovery, we have acquired a spiritual awakening from
working all of the previous Steps. Now it is asked of us to spread the
message of experience, strength, and hope to our fellow addicts, as we
continue to practice the principles that we’ve learned on our journey of
recovery. We persist on, knowing that as we abide by the principles of
the program, we will acquire even more strength, growth, and personal
freedom. We are now equipped with all the tools necessary to face life on
life’s terms, expecting only the best to unfold in our daily lives.
We have learned and lived the importance of applying the
spiritual principles of the program. We have now become aware that as we
continue moving forward in hope and faith that good will prevail, then we
will succeed on our journey. An immense amount of opportunities are
available to us, as we strive to achieve only greatness on our path. We
move forward, never again to look back at our past failures. We have
become secure with ourselves, with our lives, and with our sure course to
victory. Now it’s time for us to share with our fellow addicts all of the
strength and awareness that we’ve gained on our path. From us sharing the
message of experience, strength, and hope, our fellow addicts will gain
the opportunity to succeed on their own journey. As we spread the
message, the still suffering addict will gain the necessary tools to
overcome the difficulties and challenges that they encounter. We now have
the opportunity to give back what was so freely given to us. We get to
give other addicts all the unconditional love that we personally thrived
on in our own journey. Not only will we gain a higher sense of
self-esteem, but we’ll also be extremely blessed in the process. Our old
ways of a self-seeking nature transforms into one of love, and caring and
sharing. We will continue to grow even that much more in our recovery. A
new life of caring and love will enlighten us to a new realm of the
wonders of this marvelous existence.
As addicts continue to help each other in their recovery,
nothing becomes impossible, and the many miracles of the program thrive to
a greater extent. Personally, after I completed the 12 Steps, while
working an active 12th Step, the growth process really took
hold like never before. Not only was I helping others in their recovery,
but I was also helping myself in the process. I consistently had to bring
to mind all the spiritual principles that I’ve learned on my journey to be
able to share it with the still suffering addict. People came to rely on
me to support them in their recovery, and that is truly a great feeling.
I started to give back to this awesome Fellowship, and an enormous feeling
of strength and security filled my spirit. I came alive like never
before. And it is now my total devotion to share all of the experience,
strength, and hope that I’ve gained to help others to reach the
enlightenment that I’ve acquired on my path. I’ve been shown a new Light
that I now thrive on in my recovery. Working an active 12th
Step has many, many benefits, to not only to the person, but also to all
the people that we help. Our life has new meaning and importance, and it
gives us a feeling that is completely indescribable. We have to
personally experience it to come to achieve its many rewards. And,
believe me, it will be a life-changing experience to all.
There are many ways for us to spread the message of hope to
other addicts. When we become secure in our own recovery from working the
previous Steps, a very good way to give back to the program is to become a
Sponsor. A Sponsor in the 12 Step program passes on all the knowledge,
strength, understanding, and awareness that they’ve acquired to help their
sponsee’s on their journey. A Sponsor will assist them and support them
on their path. Sponsors provide comfort, security, care, suggestions,
personal experience, guidance, support, and we listen to them as they
share about their personal challenges and difficulties, both the good and
the bad ones. We encourage them and give them confidence and strength to
assist them in overcoming the challenges they encounter. Sponsors help
them work the 12 Steps, give them assignments, take them to meetings,
etc…. We are there for them in every way, and make sure for them to know
that important fact.
Another great way to spread the message is to share and open
up at meetings. As we share at the meetings about our experience,
strength, and hope, we gain the opportunity for other addicts to realize
that they too can achieve victory in their own recovery. Sharing is a
great tool for other addicts in the program. We become totally honest and
open about our experience, so other addicts can become aware of the tools
that they can use to overcome their challenges. Newcomers see our current
state, and come to realize that they can reach a new level of success as
well. We take extra time with other addicts, and show love and comfort
them on their journey. It is truly a great and uplifting experience.
Nothing compares to living life with love and respect for others. The 12
Step program has survived this long as a proven course of recovery because
of all the hard work and time that we all put into it. What could be
better than saving peoples lives? I know that if it wasn’t for the great
12 Step Fellowship, then I’d probably be dead, withering away into
oblivion. For that, I am forever thankful to the 12 Step Fellowship.
Thank you for allowing me to be of service, and it has been an uplifting
and fruitful adventure. You too, can achieve this great feeling by
working an active 12th Step to spread the message of
experience, strength, and hope to other addicts in the program. Take
care, and good luck on your journey.
If you
have any questions on recovery, or the N.A. program, then you can contact
me by
Clicking Here. Thank
you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am an
addict.
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