Nar-Anon is a Spiritual Program
This means that we accept the idea that we are dependent upon a Higher Power for help in solving our problems and achieving peace of mind. A member’s individual religious beliefs are a personal matter, and we make it a point to avoid discussions regarding any specific faiths.
Group Participation
At Nar-Anon meetings, only one person speaks at a time. Anyone may express an opinion during their sharing. We don’t engage in dialogue, debate or cross-talk. We also don’t comment, correct, or judge others as they share. What is true for one may not be true for another. You can freely choose to just listen. We’re not here to talk about the addict’s problems but to keep the focus on ourselves and our own recovery. If you have questions, you can stay after the meeting to speak with others, or you may can use your phone list during the week.
Contributions are Voluntary
Our 7th Tradition in Nar-Anon states: “Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions”. As all contributions are voluntary, a member may give what they can afford when the basket is passed. Group funds are used to purchase literature, pay rent for their meeting place, and make periodic donations to their area, region, and World Service Office (WSO). A group may also decide to purchase refreshments and supplies.
Literature
Each meeting will have a literature table where you will find information about Nar-Anon. We suggest you first read your newcomer packet and then visit the literature table. Remember that our literature is to help and guide you as you recover and continue to work the program. It’s not intended to fix all your problems; it’s to help you in your journey.
Types of Meetings
Since each group is autonomous, they can decide, by a group conscience, how their meetings will be conducted. However, this is always done in accordance with the Nar-Anon Traditions. Meetings can be held by having group sharing, step and/or tradition studies, topic meetings, or speaker meetings.
Nar-Anon Spoken Here
You may notice that Nar-Anon members have a language all their own. This is one of the reasons we ask members to keep coming back. At first, the new words and phrases you’ll hear may appear foreign to you. You will learn about the steps, traditions, and slogans and find helpful information in our Nar-Anon literature. Sometimes you may wonder why the same readings need to be repeated at each meeting. As you continue to attend meetings, you’ll find that those readings and slogans become a part of your everyday recovery.
The Nar-Anon Family Groups is primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you. We have traveled that unhappy road too, and found the answer with serenity and peace of mind. Narateen is part of the Nar-Anon program for teens affected by someone else’s addiction.
When you come into the family group, you are no longer alone, but among true friends who understand your problem as few others could. We respect your confidence and anonymity as we know you will respect ours. We hope to give you the assurance that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness is too great to be overcome.
Our program, which is not a religious one but a spiritual way of life, is based on the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon. We’ve found that the working of these steps will bring the solution to practically any problem. We urge you to take this program and its twelve steps seriously. It has been as helpful to us as the Narcotics Anonymous program is to the addict. We only ask for the wisdom and courage to see ourselves as we really are, to do something about ourselves with the help of a Higher Power as we understand this, and for the grace to release our addicts with love and cease trying to change them.
Keep an open mind and attend as many meetings as possible. Feel free to share during the meeting. You may ask questions after the meeting. You’ll soon make friends and will feel very much a part of the group.
With the understanding that addiction is a disease, and the realization that we are powerless over it, as well as over other people’s lives, we are ready to do something useful and constructive with our own. Then, and only then, can we be of any help to others.