The Gift of Desperation

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Just for today - July 18

"Our disease always resurfaced or continued to progress until, in desperation, we sought help from each other in Narcotics Anonymous."Basic Text, p. 13

When we think of being desperate, we envision an undesirable state: a poor, bedraggled soul frantically clawing at something sorely needed, a desperate look in the eyes. We think of hunted animals, hungry children, and of ourselves before we found NA.

Yet it was the desperation we felt before coming to NA that compelled us to accept the First Step. We were fresh out of ideas, and so became open to new ones. Our insanity had finally risen higher than our wall of denial, forcing us to get honest about our disease. Our best efforts at control had only worn us out; hence, we became willing to surrender. We had received the gift of desperation and, as a result, were able to accept the spiritual principles that make it possible for us to recover.

Desperation is what finally drives many of us to ask for help. Once we've reached this state, we can turn around and start anew. Just as the desperate, hunted animal seeks a safe haven, so do we: in Narcotics Anonymous.

Just for today: The gift of desperation has helped me become honest, open-minded, and willing. I am grateful for this gift because it has made my recovery possible.

Comments

shellyb00's picture

hello. im not really sure how exactly this is suppose to work or if there are certain things and topics or whatever but anyway.. im a 23 year old recovering heroin addict and I go to meetings im in outpatient treatment and im reading my literature mostly I've taken the majority of the suggestions given to me.. through God's grace and mercy I've got close to 150 days clean. however I need help and need to start talking about some things.. im not gonna throw everything out within this post but I could seriously use some talking and listening time with someone or a group whoever.. I just have had a hard time sharing deep into myself with the people in my area.. so please if anyone can assist me male or female. I.could desperately use it.. thank u for ur time hopefully ill hear from someone soon.

barely hanging on.. white knuckling it.. and afraid that if im not extra careful all the positive aaccomplishments and achievements will be gone in the blink of an eye

custodian's picture

Thank you Shellyb00 for your share and congratulations for the 150 days. Do you have a sponsor or a buddy in recovery who has been clean for longer time and would guide you through the steps?

If you have a buddy outside the outpatient treatment you can create a private group on this site and work the steps in it with your buddy. Working in private groups makes it easy and exclusively accessed by the private group memebers. You can create a public post and see if others on this site are welling to help you. Ask people outside of the outpatient treatment to talk to you on the phone and invite them to your private group if you want to. 

The most important suggestions in our NA literatures are the following:

1) Go to meetings

2) have a sponsor

3) Work the steps

We did not intend to replace these suggestions by creating this site. We intended to enhance recovery through journaling. Write as much as you can about how you feel, your steps, your intentions and get to know yourself more in your personal diary book but always make sure to cover the basics: meeting attendance, sponsor, step work. . 

Feel free to create a post in the NA sitewide public group. You may get others to work with you either in public or private groups.

Below, I will show you a good way to connect with other memebers on this site, hang on there, your are changing your life, one day at a time.  

custodian's picture

My first suggestion for you is to look for the NA hot line in your area. Click here for more information or simply use google search. Tell the person that you would like to talk to somebody on the phone. This person may be able to help you.

 

My second suggestion is to write on the NA public wall, write in your NA Step working guide and create public posts "post in public group"

First go to your profile page and write in your signature area that you would like to connect with other members of NA. Your signuature will show on every public entry you make.

Please contact me if you have other questions recovery related or related to our site.