When we came to our first gathering in NA, many of us had nowhere else to go. It was impossible to continue using. Spiritually we were bankrupt. Most of us were completely isolated from people and no longer found anything meaningful in life. Entering recovery, we didn't realize that we were now on a path where anything was possible.
At first it was very difficult just the fact that we didn't drink. But as we watched other addicts work the Steps and apply these principles to their lives, we began to realize that recovery is much more than just staying clean. We could see that our friends in NA had made changes in their lives. They had entered into a relationship with a God of their own understanding. They were now responsible members of the fraternity and society. They had found meaning in their lives. We started to believe that all this is possible for us too.
As we continue the journey of recovery, we may lose our way through lack of tolerance, insincerity, or complacency. When this happens we will need to recognize it soon, in order to get back on the path to freedom and maturity.
