I have only ever been to two NA meetings. It just isn't for me however I think it is a wonderful program as it seems to help so many. When I was in rehab, we had to go to NA meetings. At the meetings you always have to stand and say "My name is .... and I am an addict". I didn't have a problem with that. But the leader of the meeting told me that I should always introduce myself to new people the same way. Even outside of meetings. She said if I wasn't in denial I wouldn't have a problem with that. Is that normal? Do all NA people practice that rule?
I have NEVER heard of that one. What goes on in the rooms is suppose to be all about annonimity, so addressing yourself outside of the rooms in that manner would break the code of annonimity...and I'm sure some people would look down on you for introducing yourself in that manner.
No... and there are no "rules'... in NA per se... only suggestions... most meetings are run sumular to each other.... the meetings that I attend you dont have to stand .. but in the bigger ones I can see the practical reason behind that I guess... no one can dictate how you approach a new person in or outside of a meeting.. esp outside... that is a personal choice... and I hope this would keep you from going to meetings all together...
often times it takes trying a few different meetings to find one that fits.. these groups while all NA are made up of different type of folks.. some have more men than women or more older types than young.. ect... the most important thing that meetings usually give you is a sense of not being alone or unique in this disease and an added resource to fight it with....
Hope this answers your question....
Teresa
often times it takes trying a few different meetings to find one that fits.. these groups while all NA are made up of different type of folks.. some have more men than women or more older types than young.. ect... the most important thing that meetings usually give you is a sense of not being alone or unique in this disease and an added resource to fight it with....
Hope this answers your question....
Teresa
Gidget...
if you choose to introduce yourself as an addict outside of a meeting.. your name first name only... your are first of all not breaking annyomity and if you were it is only yours that you are breaking not theres... secondly ... 'look down on you'... I hope I am misunderstanding you.... I never looked down on someone even before I was an addict that told me they went to meetings... I am not sure what you meant by look down on... shame keeps us sick... How are we to carry the message of NA/AA and educate other addict about addiction if we cant speak about meetings and say we are an addict in public .. that is outside of the rooms...?.... or fear others looking down on us?...
Teresa
if you choose to introduce yourself as an addict outside of a meeting.. your name first name only... your are first of all not breaking annyomity and if you were it is only yours that you are breaking not theres... secondly ... 'look down on you'... I hope I am misunderstanding you.... I never looked down on someone even before I was an addict that told me they went to meetings... I am not sure what you meant by look down on... shame keeps us sick... How are we to carry the message of NA/AA and educate other addict about addiction if we cant speak about meetings and say we are an addict in public .. that is outside of the rooms...?.... or fear others looking down on us?...
Teresa
Teresa, I was just generalizing how society frowns down on addicts. As you know, many percieve us to be something other than what we are. I have never been told to address myself outside of a room in the manner that the original poster suggested. Of course, all rooms are different and I agree that she should look around and find one that best suits her needs. I suppose it is a personal decision on how one addresses themselves outside of a room but I for one would never introduce myself to a stranger outside of the room by announcing that I am an addict. For me, it could just put a stigma on one that is not needed. Now, inside of the rooms, yes, absolutely address yourself as an addict because you are there with your kind or those with similar problems and they need to hear our stories, no matter how good or bad they are. We can all learn valuable lessons from other addicts stories as well as relate in many ways even though each is different in their own unique way.
Thanks for your input on this question. You made a very valid point and I value your words more than you will ever know. In my opinion, you are a wise person and I truly appreciate your input. Thank You and please forgive me if I came across in an inappropriate manner.
Thanks for your input on this question. You made a very valid point and I value your words more than you will ever know. In my opinion, you are a wise person and I truly appreciate your input. Thank You and please forgive me if I came across in an inappropriate manner.
I have not heard of that before. I will often tell people I am an addict if it becomes relevant. However I do also realize there is a lot of negative stigma about addicts so I do not go around advertising the fact.
Whether you choose to share that is up to you and I do not believe it is a prerequisite.
God bless.
Whether you choose to share that is up to you and I do not believe it is a prerequisite.
God bless.
I dont think inappropiate is the word... I am just not a big fan of hiding so to speak... just because I have a disease of addiction I am not separate of different than the next person.. I dont have a 'kind'.. as you put it.. and though I felt that way for a while as it is nature to have a certain level of shame about this disease because that is societies stigma.. once I got rid of it myself.. I felt the weight lifted.. believe me... and I would have believed it myself but.. I found a that people respected me more for the honesty and being upfront and bold with them by telling them in a matter of fact way that I am an addict when approached about drinking or taking certain pills... I dont just walk up to strangers and say 'hi Im an addict you know'...lol.. I am saying that if some one offers me a drink or a pill I just say..' no .. I am a recovering addict'... matter of fact and then mayber through in a little education... or if I see someone using .. I might tell them about myself .. things like that.... when I stopped hiding for lack of any better word.. I truely felt free.. I have people calling me about there loved ones.. and friends... no one looks at me like I have the plague... I is wonderful.. I has been a rough road sometimes but...
that is all that I meant.. everyone has to find there own way... but that is just me... I sort of had made it my personal mission to help change awareness at least in my little corner about addiction and treatment.... we all cant be like that ... and that is ok;
Thanks for letting me share that with you..
Teresa
that is all that I meant.. everyone has to find there own way... but that is just me... I sort of had made it my personal mission to help change awareness at least in my little corner about addiction and treatment.... we all cant be like that ... and that is ok;
Thanks for letting me share that with you..
Teresa
I was just wondering if anyone else had ever heard of that. I thought the lady in charge of the meeting was out of line suggesting that I was in denial if I didn't go around introducing myself as an addict. I am a lot of things. I am a christian, a wife, a mother, etc. I have been clean since Sept., and don't intend to go to any NA meetings. But, it is not because of the lady at the first meeting. I know NA is a great program because it helps so many people. It's just not for me.
Hey Teresa, I hear ya now. Yes, in the situations that you mentioned, absolutely I tell the person offering me a drink or a drug that I am a recovering addict but I do try to avoid those places and people at all costs but we all know that it is impossible to totally isolate ourselves from society. Shew, glad we got that all cleared up now. I was just thinking that the poster was trying to tell us that she was suppose to introduce herself to anyone, stranger or friend that she was an addict and I felt that method was a little drastic. God, can't you just picture yourself at a job interview saying, "Hi, my name is blah, blah, blah and I am an addict." That is kind of where I was going and thinking. Duh on me. lol,,,,see, I knew you would straighten me out and I thank you for that one.
Same here Gidgit, that is what I thought she meant, on the outside world, at networking events, or interviews, etc. I was thinking damn that isn't going to fly.
You mean I'm the only one that wears a sandwich sign that says "I'm a pillhead!"?
I don't know about NA but in AA I was taught if it isn't necessary it isn't their business. Telling everyone you meet that you are an addict is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Maybe you misunderstood?
I don't know about NA but in AA I was taught if it isn't necessary it isn't their business. Telling everyone you meet that you are an addict is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Maybe you misunderstood?
I was told that when I could advertise it in the local paper, I wouldn't be ashamed anymore and could probably enhance my recovery.
Well, sorry, but it's no one's business unless I say so.
Hopefully that was a misunderstanding and that guy wasn't telling everyone to do that.
No rules. Just right.
Cowgirl
Well, sorry, but it's no one's business unless I say so.
Hopefully that was a misunderstanding and that guy wasn't telling everyone to do that.
No rules. Just right.
Cowgirl
you know - i would have no problem discussing my addiction with anyone should the conversation arise.
just as i would have no problem discussing the cholecystecomy i had if someone was diagnosed and wanted to talk about gall bladder disease;
or
no problem discussing the hysterectomy i had if someone was diagnosed with menorrhagia and wanted to talk about this female disease;
or
no problem discussing the nephrectomy i had if someone was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and wanted to talk about this kidney disease... .
the definitive word is "wanted" a true desire to help themselves or those close to them from my experience.
this is a very good topic michelle and an appropriate avenue to discuss this. thank you for bringing this to light. my life doesn't have to be an open book to every "joe" that walks down the block and why should it?
hugs and much love to you -
sammy
just as i would have no problem discussing the cholecystecomy i had if someone was diagnosed and wanted to talk about gall bladder disease;
or
no problem discussing the hysterectomy i had if someone was diagnosed with menorrhagia and wanted to talk about this female disease;
or
no problem discussing the nephrectomy i had if someone was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma and wanted to talk about this kidney disease... .
the definitive word is "wanted" a true desire to help themselves or those close to them from my experience.
this is a very good topic michelle and an appropriate avenue to discuss this. thank you for bringing this to light. my life doesn't have to be an open book to every "joe" that walks down the block and why should it?
hugs and much love to you -
sammy
Michelle,
Ive heard of course of that in meetings and see the reason but i cant imagine going to an interview for a job and saying....Hi my name is Ali...and Im an ADDICT!!!!! Do i get the job now??????LOLOL
There is no shame in having been an addict, or even in being one if you are looking for sobriety, but obviously we live in a society that does tend to LABEL and ADDICT isnt a label that bids well for success....
When Im clean, and off these damn pills for awhile I'll wear a label...
" WISER"
Hugs,
Ali
Ive heard of course of that in meetings and see the reason but i cant imagine going to an interview for a job and saying....Hi my name is Ali...and Im an ADDICT!!!!! Do i get the job now??????LOLOL
There is no shame in having been an addict, or even in being one if you are looking for sobriety, but obviously we live in a society that does tend to LABEL and ADDICT isnt a label that bids well for success....
When Im clean, and off these damn pills for awhile I'll wear a label...
" WISER"
Hugs,
Ali
