Selected Texts and Supporting Resources for the NA Program
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can lead you on a healing journey that teaches your more than merely living clean. During NA meetings, you will start connecting with a Higher Power who guides you in a spiritual awakening to help you stay clean and sober. It can be a lot to take in. But making spiritual progress is hard work. Finding Narcotics Anonymous readings and resources can help you make sense of your spiritual growth.
With locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Purpose Healing Center recommends that our recovery program graduates attend a local NA program in their communities. In early recovery, the feeling of powerlessness over drugs or alcohol can return. It can exert power over recovering without warning.
A local group of perceptive people who understand the struggle can provide valuable reinforcement on those inevitable hard days.
Keep reading if you’re wondering how to create such an awakening that can help you stay clean. You’ll learn more about how lives improve with NA readings, including member-shared stories.
Trigger Warning About the NA Language and Voice
Before we discuss NA readings, let’s address the program’s language. Such a disclosure is necessary because the outdated verbiage of NA can be offensive to the modern-day human ear.
The program refers to participants as “addicts,” which carries a stigmatized perception. The program chose this term to reinforce accountability and to force honest self-examination. Another triggering word is powerless, which implies that disease depends on a lack of self-control.
We can attribute that language to the age of the NA program, which was formed in 1953 before substance use disorders were widely recognized as a chronic disease. We’ll use the NA language throughout this post. Please understand that while some of the language may feel outdated, the program still holds tremendous value.
The Core Texts of NA That Guide Spiritual Awakening
NA offers basic texts perfect for individual or group readings. These guideposts help NA members examine their conscience and make better choices. You can easily find these books and purchase them on the NA website or borrow them from your community’s library.
However, you are not required by NA to have these books to participate in group readings; just show up and listen as the truth is revealed.
Narcotics Anonymous the Basic Text
The basic text, entitled Narcotics Anonymous, tells personal stories of NA members and explains the struggles of addiction. The NA program’s foundational writing explains all the foundational principles, initial insights, and philosophies. The book also introduces members to the 12 steps and 12 traditions, setting a framework for personal recovery.
Step 12, the spiritual awakening page, is one of the most selected texts for group readings. It announces the culmination of the 12 steps to the world, reinforcing that such an awakening took time and effort. The NA basic text tells readers about the spiritual experience of following the twelve steps to all the world. The experience delivers an understanding that freedom from drugs is possible with humility and the aid of a Higher Power.
Chapter One Changes Lives
The first Chapter of the basic text is called, “Who is an addict?” It can be an undesirable bit to admit to, with the first reaction of many being anger. However, the writers believed that it was necessary to hold addicts accountable for sobriety by understanding the nature of addiction.
Our past client, ‘Jalen,’ explained how his chronic addiction meant the covers pulled over his eyes before recovery. He attended Narcotics Anonymous during aftercare and found the Chapter One language offensive at his first NA meeting. He eventually understood that the shock to the conscience helped him own his continued recovery.
It Works: How and Why
It Works explores the NA steps and traditions more deeply. When members have a fuller understanding of the program, they find hope. It Works frees members from doubts about whether they matter and recognizes that one member is as valuable as the next.
Many in the NA fellowship read It Works: How and Why to begin removing self-doubt from the personal journey. They also rely on it for a strong dose of recommitment to the program when things happen that cast doubt.
Living Clean: The Journey Continues
The first two texts of Narcotics Anonymous focus on helping recovering addicts follow the 12-step pathway. Through the journey, they have such awakenings that they begin experiencing the joy of giving their troubles to a Higher Power and perceive their own self-will.
Living Clean is a continuance. It covers emotional healing, the power of staying connected to other recovering addicts, and renewed awakenings of the conscience. This publication shows NA members that sobriety isn’t mere abstinence; it means members must disclose barriers they encounter and find ways to overcome them to stay on the right track.
Notable Passage Often Included in Group Readings
LC discusses the NA concept of rude awakenings in Chapter 2. It’s an impactful section that’s often featured in group readings.
A past Purpose Healing client, ‘Ava,’ explained that the chapter laid naked the fact that getting sober on its own doesn’t fix everything.
Rude awakenings lead members to overcome challenges in relationships, past trauma, or lack of confidence. For Ava, it meant repairing her relationship with her husband before she could truly enjoy freedom from cocaine use.
Just for Today: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts
Just for Today is an NA member favorite, which provides daily reflections that inspire and encourage members to listen to their own voice along the journey. Each entry is short, focused, and shares a quote from other NA readings. With space to explore your intuition or discern how to continue the spiritual awakening, Just for Today is a go-to resource for NA members.
The book also refers to the AA Serenity Prayer:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
-AA Big Book
A Safe Space to Reveal any Thought, Safely Hidden
JFT is not a journal. Stefania used the margins of the pages to share her thoughts after individual or group readings. The pages gave her the freedom to express any thought in these treasured pages.
Sponsorship
Sponsors play a fundamental role in NA meetings and the fellowship. New members need a sponsor to rely on as their shortcomings are suddenly revealed. Members further along in the process begin sharing and grow into roles as sponsors in time. Their experience delivers a full view of what recovery can look like, inspiring new participants.
Sponsorship discusses sponsor relationships and how sponsoring someone is an act of service, not at all a power long-held over new members. The book helps members understand the importance of finding a sponsor while teaching experienced members how to give back.
Guiding Principles: The Spirit of Our Traditions
Narcotics Anonymous 12 Traditions help the fellowship operate with integrity and unity. Guiding Principles discusses historical insights and personal reflections from members. For those in NA leadership, the book is a valuable resource.
It shows how there’s more than meets the human eye when making spiritual progress and decisions that align with the organization’s core values. The readings also say that anyone ready to serve today, march into leadership and help serve addicts who need NA.
Contact Purpose and Find Professional Support for Getting Clean
What if you’re reading about NA and interested but haven’t found recovery groups effective? First, know that you are not alone. Many have found NA meetings most effective after completing a professional recovery program. We recommend attending NA groups as aftercare or to supplement ongoing treatment.
Not everyone can follow the 12 steps and participate in group readings and end addiction. Addiction is chronic, and disease talks to everyone differently. If you need more help than what NA meetings can provide, call us today.
We will support you with a customized treatment plan, and all calls are confidential, so please reach out today.
480-579-3319