Transcript Northern New York Region of Narcotics Anonymous

Public Relations and Hospitals
& Institutions
Drug replacement
Therapy Workshop
Discussing and addressing
known challenges
i n t r e a tme n t s e t t i n g s
Drug replacement
 Areas and groups often enter into
discussions about drug-replacement
therapies and the Narcotics
Anonymous program. NA’s Third and
Tenth Traditions are essential to these
discussions. We need to remember that
we cannot assess anyone’s desire to get
clean and that NA has no opinion on
drug-replacement therapies.
 However, the experience of NA members
is that being clean means complete
abstinence from all mood- and mindaltering drugs, including those used in
drug-replacement therapies. As our Basic
Text states, “Complete abstinence is the
foundation for our new life.”
 Raising awareness about our Third Tradition—
that the only requirement for membership in
NA is a desire to stop using drugs—can benefit
discussions about drug replacement. Anyone is
welcome at NA meetings, even if they seem as
though they don’t know if they want to stop
using drugs. A group must always maintain its
primary purpose of carrying NA’s message of
recovery to addicts.
 Although NA is a program of complete
abstinence, nowhere does NA say a person
has to be clean to attend NA meetings; we
need to be aware of this when interacting
with drug replacement clients.
 Sometimes meeting formats ask those who
have used drugs not to speak—but it is not
our job to judge or evaluate if someone is
clean or not. Our Third Tradition cautions us
from judging another member’s desire and
encourages us to welcome any addict who
comes into an NA meeting.
 In our public relations service, we may choose to
limit the participation of members on drugreplacement medication. We do this because we
do not want the NA program to be
misrepresented; we are a program of complete
abstinence. Yet, we want to be inclusive, so we
treat these situations sensitively by taking
members aside and sharing our own experience
with living drug-free.
 We can share that some members have tapered
their drug use to abstinence through
replacement methods (World Services Bulletin
#29 can be a useful resource). We can also share
that drug replacement may seem to help today,
but our experience with recovery in NA means
that we are able to live free from all drugs
without the need to substitute one drug for
another.
A VISION FOR NA SERVICE
All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous are inspired by the primary
purpose of the groups we serve. Upon this common ground we stand
committed.
Our vision is that one day:
 Every addict in the world has the chance to experience our
message in his or her own language and culture and find the
opportunity for a new way of life;
 Every member, inspired by the gift of recovery, experiences
spiritual growth and fulfillment through service;
 NA service bodies worldwide work together in a spirit of unity
and cooperation to support the groups in carrying our message
of recovery;
 Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a
viable program of recovery.
 Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of our service
efforts, all of which rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher
Power.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
“That no addict seeking recovery need ever die from the horrors
of addiction without knowing that there is a better way of life, my
gratitude speaks when I care and when I share with others the
NA way.” Gratitude prayer
 “To fulfill our fellowship’s primary purpose, the NA groups
have joined together to create a structure which develops,
coordinates, and maintains services on behalf of NA as a
whole.” 1st Concept.
 In order to keep NA as a visible, respected, useful, and
attractive community resource consistent information must
be made readily available to the communities in which we live
and recover.
 It should not be difficult for those who may want or need our
help, or wish to refer addicts to NA to find our meetings and
services.
We are not taking any position
or having any opinion on DRT
From IP # 29
Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from
all drugs, including alcohol. Sometimes people come
to NA meetings while still using drugs, detoxing from
drugs, or on drug replacement therapy. Regardless of
what you may be taking when you first come to NA,
you are welcome. Also, newer members often have
questions about prescribed medications. We
encourage you to read NA literature including the
Basic Text and the booklet In Times of Illness, which
will explain NA’s approach to recovery. It also helps
to talk to NA members who have faced similar
situations about what worked for them.
From FLANA ASC Guidelines
No member serving in the capacity of a public
representative of the finger lakes of Narcotics
Anonymous may currently be on a Drug
Replacement Therapy or Treatment. This includes
the following:
ASC Officers
Subcommittee Officers
Speakers or public presenters
This applies only to "Drug Replacement Therapy"
and "Drug Replacement Treatment" whereas a
person is specifically in a program of treatment
that uses one chemical to replace a narcotic. This
does NOT apply based on specific chemicals or
medications.
This does not in any way judge or determine a
member's length or quality of clean time. All
members are welcome and encouraged to be
involved in service.