Sharing our recovery renews our faith and gratitude. Seeing that we are not alone frees us from the isolation and alienation of addiction.
Guiding Principles, Eighth Tradition, Original Reasoning
When we study the Eighth Tradition, we often focus on understanding terms like "skilled workers" and "service centers," overlooking the meaning of the term "nonprofessional." It's like we can't see the forest for the trees. The heart of this Tradition and its importance to our personal recovery lies in our non-professional approach, which enables us to relate and connect. Most of us interacted with all kinds of people who had a professional interest in helping us before we came to NA – counsellors, therapists, psychologists, police officers, wardens or correctional officers. The list of people whose job it was to try to manipulate or manage us when we were too ungovernable is very long.
And yet we ended up here in the SE. From our very first meeting, we were greeted by people who were not "on the clock". These NA members shared the message of recovery with us not because it was their job to do so, but because this is how we stay clean and recover. Our approach is non-professional. It requires no formal education, degrees or certifications – we have our experience in addiction and recovery. That's all we need.
This process of free sharing shows us that we are not alone. As newcomers, we discover our connection. When we sit and share the message, we are reminded of our connection again and again, each time we share with another member. Addiction thrives on isolation and alienation, and no length of time clean will insulate us against the tendency to disconnect. Connection is an active process, and we achieve it by sharing freely with other addicts.
Sharing in recovery is the antidote to alienation and isolation. By connecting to the NA way, I will keep gratitude and faith alive.
