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Step 5

“We admit it to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs”

DENIAL: Don’t even know I am lying! It was only by the grace of God that I learned the HOW of this program. It’s been an ongoing process learning to get honest with myself first. As I worked the steps with my sponsor I trusted her more and more. By the time I got to the 5th step, I could, did, and do tell my sponsor any and everything. Lisa A.

We will need the help of God, as we understand Him, and the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. pg. 33 IWHW

We can trust NA with saving our lives without entrusting every member with all of our secrets. It’s important to modulate our openness, discerning the difference between sharing at group level, confiding in a friend, and baring our soul in a Fifth Step. Of course some of our best lessons come from our mistakes. SPAD 5/6

Tradition 5

“Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.”

Being of service to a meeting, especially one having been around for over 40 years, allows me the opportunity to be a part of keeping the doors open and carry out our primary purpose. Donald

Consistency is a spiritual principle that keeps us doing what we do. It begins with the refrain, we keep coming back! Coming to meetings, regularly helps us stay clean, and it also carries a message of hope. We keep coming back because it works, the group depends on his members, and members depend on, the group being true to its purpose. Showing up consistently, sharing, honestly, and treating others with respect all further our primary purpose. A consistent message is powerful. When our actions and message are clear and consistent, our groups cannot fail. Pg. 83 GP

Concept 5

“For each responsibility assigned to the service structure, a single
point of decision and accountability should be clearly defined.”

I suggest that for each position in AREA, we should produce and document in a folder, the responsibilities of that service position. Passing along what we did to fulfil this commitment. And leave it with AREA. This could serve as a guide for the next NA member stepping up and being of service, especially if that position had not been filled the previous year. Our literature states that one addict helping another is without parallel. Lil Andrea

THINGS TO DO

Memorial Day Marathon May 29, 2023

“Living Clean The Journey Continues” Starting immediately after the continental breakfast 10 am, members will share their experience, strength, and hope every hour on the hour until 8pm. 3001 Central Ave

WHAT Spring Fling Family Fun Day

WHEN June 3rd Noon to 6pm

WHERE Northwest Way Park 5253 W 62nd St. Shelter 3

Bring a side dish or dessert to share $5 suggested donation no addict turned away

CIACNA XIX Unity Is a Must “Through Recovery We Grow” Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023
has moved and will now be held at Wyndham Indianapolis West 2544 Executive Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46241 For Reservations call (317) 248-2481 Reservations deadline is 9/1/2023 Convention room rate is $119

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TRIVIA

1. Step 5 is the KEY to what?
2. After working a fifth step … what could this process be thought of as?
3.  This step (5) will expose our _____ and ______?                                          
4. I can disarm the secrets in my life by sharing them with what/who?
5. What is one of the many benefits we get from working step 5?

Answers from last months questions 1.LOVE! IWHW pg. 157 2.Carry the message. GP pg. 63 3.NOW 4.The autonomy of our group. BT pg. 66 5. Honest self-assessment BT pg. 28

The Message of Hope is always in need of members to submit NA related material. Thank you for being of service and allowing me to serve Lillie A.

In memory of the addicts no longer suffering from the disease of addiction

Step 4 “We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves”

Spiritual Principles Courage Honesty Willingness Humility

Going into the 4th step I was confused about who I was. My entire life I was called a big head SOB and in the same breath they said they loved me. This was in contradiction to what I found to be true after working this step.    Nate R

When I stopped giving my past the power to keep me trapped, I got the gift of freedom. Anonymous Addict

Keeping it simple and not making excuses or trying to rationalize justify or get stuck in self pity; allowed me to see the patterns I kept repeating in life. As a direct result of working step 4, I became willing to change my motives and do something different by practicing the spiritual principles of our program. Lisa T.

“The purpose of a searching and fearless and moral inventory is to sort through the confusion and the contradiction of our lives so that we can find out who we really are.” March 16 JFT

Tradition 4 “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or NA as a whole”

Spiritual Principles – Responsibility Unity Anonymity Open Mindedness Love

The pandemic left our home group bare and struggling. As members returned our personalities contributed to the re-formatting of our meeting, resulting from our groups conscious. Found in “Guiding Principles The Spirit of our Traditions” are some guidelines our home group refers to. “It Works How and Why” and our “Basic Text” are also helpful resources for more info on this tradition. Penny H.

The commitment I made to my home group is because I feel a part of. It allows me to get free and not feel judged. I’m no different from any other addict and that’s the anonymity piece for me. Anonymous Addict.

“Through working the steps, we learned that with freedom comes responsibility. In recovery we become responsible for ourselves. As we accept that responsibility we see how the fourth tradition encourages us to act responsibly as groups and as a fellowship.” Pg. 151 IWH&W

Concept 4 “Effective leadership is highly valued in Narcotics Anonymous. Leadership qualities should be carefully considered when selecting trusted servants”.

I did not get any submissions on concept four. But we want to thank those members both visible and behind the scenes who continue to be of service in our area. There are still service positions that need to be filled on a group, area and convention level.

ISNAC XXIX was a success. Against All Odds said it all We do recover! The halls, hospitality room, workshops, and hotel was filled with addicts from all over. The speakers truly carried the message of Narcotics Anonymous.

The most beautiful and amazing part of the convention was the Clean Time Countdown. There was such an overflowing of love and positive energy under one roof, that it really made my heart smile. It was astounding to see the person with 2 days clean being surrounded with hugs from so many addicts in the fellowship. My cup was so full that day. Brandee D.

CIACNA XIX Unity Is a Must “Through Recovery We Grow” Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023
has moved and will now be held at Wyndham Indianapolis West 2544 Executive Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46241 For Reservations call (317) 248-2481 Convention room rate is $119

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TRIVIA

1. What is the principle that guides us to see NA as a greater whole?
2. What is the most important thing we do with autonomy?
3. When is the time to tell the truth about ourselves?                                          
4. What is necessary for our survival?
5. What is one of the keys to our new way of life?

Answers from last months questions 1.Our freedom to recover 2.Willingness Desire 3.You ain’t it 4.Compassion 5. By reaffirming our decision on a regular basis

In memory of the addicts no longer suffering from the disease of addiction

“The outer circle of our symbol denotes a universal and total program that has room within it for all manifestations of the recovering person” Basic Text vi. Within the margins of this newsletter is room for all to be of service and share how the Narcotics Anonymous program has gifted you with a new way of life. Our literature states that “We can’t keep what we have unless we give it away”. By sharing your personal story of recovery, it is a way to ‘give back what was so freely given to you’. You can share how the best sponsor ever guided you through the Step Working Guide. Or that studying the Guiding Principles is what makes your home group the best. As a newcomer I meditated every morning on the Just For Today and now I start my day with our newest piece of literature A Spiritual Principle A Day.

Feel free to share your perspective on any and all NA approved literature!

CIACNA XIX  

October 6-8 2023
UNITY IS A MUST “Through Recovery We Grow”

The CIACNA convention committee met and voted on this year theme through recovery we grow. The next convention committee meeting will be March 18^th between 3 & 4 p.m.

ISNAC XXIX

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The Midwest Zonal Forum of NA MZF meets 2-3 times a year at rotating locations throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The last meeting was a hybrid that met February 17-19 here in Indianapolis. One of many topics discussed was ways NA members can support the rebuilding of the reserve funds after the pandemic and how to improve 2023-2025 NAWS Inc budget.

Step 3 We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity

An addict shared “This is where I decided to trust God with my recovery. I had to admit my powerlessness over my disease. I came to believe that there is a Higher Power that can deliver me from the craziness and unmanageability. Now I am ready to make the decision to turn it over to this Higher Power, to God as I understand God, trusting that this Higher Power can restore me to my right mind. I “let go and let God”.

Tradition 3 “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.”

“In the beginning I just wanted the pain to stop and not use drugs. Then I noticed that it didn’t use the word drugs. But I know that’s what it meant, that’s how I identified with others. But with some time abstinent from using, I desire to recover from acting out on my character defects today” an addict shared.

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Trusted servants still needed to fill positions for Area, CIACNA, and the groups

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Trivia (answers provided in next issue)

1. Tradition 3 guarantees what?
2.  All that is required is? (2 answers)
3. What is the most important thing to understand about a Higher Power
4. What spiritual principle is at the heart of tradition 3?
5. How can we practice the spiritual principle of commitment?

Slogans – what are your favorites and why?

 “The newcomer is the most important person at any meeting because we can only keep what we have by giving it away’. When I first came into the rooms I thought the people wanted something from me, why were they being so nice? And for the first time in a long time I felt loved. I wanted what they had to offer and soon learned that only thru reciprocation could I attain it.

Let me say thank you to the fellowship of the Central Indiana Area of Narcotics Anonymous for allowing me to be of service. I’m a grateful recovering addict name LillieA

In memory of the addicts no longer suffering from the disease of addiction