Author: Tyler F.

Tyler is a writer with dual degrees from the University of South Florida. Having grown up with an alcoholic father, she understands both the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that addiction can affect the family unit. This Miami native has become a champion of mental health and an active believer in the power of positive thinking. When she isn't at the beach, Tyler enjoys running, jigsaw puzzles, and snuggling with her cat, Poof.

How Michael J. Fox Used Alcohol to Hide Parkinson’s

The year was 1990 when one morning, Michael J. Fox experienced something odd. He had woken up to find his left pinky twitching uncontrollably. One year later, Fox visited a neurologist and was told he had early-onset Parkinson’s. 

Like so many others faced with devastating news, the beloved Hollywood actor used substance abuse to escape the distress of his diagnosis. This devolved into a years-long battle with alcoholism which Fox later discussed in his memoir “Lucky Man”.

A Hidden Diagnosis & Unhealthy Coping Mechanism 

Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease of the brain that affects the central nervous system, causing tremors, stiffness, and loss of balance. The symptoms get more severe over time, eventually affecting the senses, cognitive ability, and mental health, and are associated with depression and dementia-like symptoms at later stages.

Fox was 29 years old and at the peak of his career, beloved by America for his role as the charming rapscallion from the Back To The Future franchise when he was diagnosed with an incurable disease that would eventually lead to increasingly debilitating symptoms.  

For years, Fox kept his diagnosis a secret from the public. He continued to work in the entertainment industry and suffered in secrecy and silence. As Parkinson’s disease progressed, Fox’s symptoms became more severe, making it increasingly difficult for him to perform. 

Fox’s drinking problem was causing increased strain on him and his family. However, with the support of his family and friends, he sought help and was eventually able to overcome his alcohol addiction. In his memoir, Fox wrote about the experience of getting sober and the importance of finding healthy coping mechanisms. He also emphasized the role of his wife, Tracy Pollan, in supporting him through his journey of recovery.

Today, Fox continues to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease and advocates for research to find a cure. Through his foundation, he has raised millions of dollars for Parkinson’s research, and his efforts have significantly impacted the lives of those living with the disease. He is also a vocal advocate for addiction recovery and has been open about his own struggles with alcohol. 

Parkinson’s and Alcohol

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be physically and emotionally challenging for those living with the disease. Some individuals turn to alcohol as a way to cope with their condition and to find temporary relief from the stress, anxiety, and physical discomfort associated with the disease. However, relying on alcohol as a coping mechanism can lead to addiction and the development of alcoholism.

Alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, making them much more severe. Alcohol can also lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown that chronic heavy drinking can increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by damaging the neurons in the brain that control movement.

There’s one common factor that explains why Parkinson’s disease and alcoholism share a complex relationship. It’s dopamine, the neurotransmitter essential for the proper functioning of the brain’s motor system that also plays a starring role in the reward center of the brain, and the formation of addiction.

Dopamine: A Common Denominator

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in a specific brain region called the substantia nigra. This loss of dopamine-producing neurons, in turn, leads to a significant reduction in the amount of dopamine in the brain. This causes dopamine levels to be too low. 

The shortage of dopamine is directly linked to the characteristic motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and loss of balance. As a result, Parkinson’s disease is often treated with medications that increase dopamine levels in the brain. However, these treatments are not curative and do not slow the progression of the disease. 

Now, consider how alcohol affects dopamine levels in the body. Initially, alcohol consumption can increase dopamine release in some regions of the brain (this is one of the reasons why alcohol can be addictive and lead to cravings for more alcohol). However, over time, chronic alcohol use can decrease dopamine levels in the brain because the body becomes accustomed to alcohol artificially increasing the presence of this neurotransmitter and stops the natural production of dopamine. Further, alcohol can damage dopamine-producing neurons, especially in the substantia nigra — the very same part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. 

It is essential for individuals with Parkinson’s disease–or any other medical disorder–to seek healthy coping mechanisms for managing their symptoms. Regular exercise, therapy, and support groups can be effective in improving quality of life and reducing the need for alcohol as a coping mechanism. 

Writing Prompts for Recovery

Looking to sleep better and heal faster? We’re not talking about exercise–there’s another champion of self-care that’s also one of the best addiction recovery tools out there: it’s journaling. 

As little as 15 minutes of writing a day can improve memory, mindfulness, and mood and make sense of things when your life has turned upside down–or more accurately, right side up–after addiction. Here are 23 addiction recovery journal prompts for you to try.

23 Writing Prompts for Recovery & Daily Recovery Questions

There are a few different approaches you could take when journaling. You could write free-form about whatever pops into your mind at the moment without any guide or prompt. But when you’re not sure what to write about, answering thought-provoking questions about recovery, your feelings, or your past is a great way to process this major life event. 

These 23 suggestions will range from specific questions to broad ideas to explore. Either type is capable of providing a better understanding of how you got where you are today, highlighting your triumphs and acknowledging rough patches, and a safe space to reflect on the past and future.

Prompts if you’re just starting the recovery process

  • What scares me most about recovery?
  • What would I be doing right now if I wasn’t in recovery?
  • Write a goodbye letter to things, people, or behaviors I know aren’t healthy and want to leave behind.  
  • What did I do to strengthen my recovery today?

Prompts if you’re struggling to find motivation

  • List 10 things you’re most grateful for since being in recovery.
  • What do I want to accomplish tomorrow? What steps can I take to set myself up for success and how will that benefit my long-term recovery journey? 
  • When I meet new people, what do I want them to think about me? 
  • When do I feel most in tune with myself?

Prompts for dealing with setbacks

  • What’s the last mistake I made that made me feel ashamed? Why did I feel that way?
  • What emotions am I holding on to? What hurts right now? How can I find relief?
  • What’s the most recent instance where I didn’t set healthy boundaries? What happened because of it and how could the outcome have been different?
  • What distractions get in the way of being my most productive?

Prompts for living in the moment

  • If my body could talk, it would say….
  • What was the highlight of my day?
  • What are the things in my home that are the most “me”?

Prompts for self-discovery

  • What three important things have you learned from previous relationships?
  • How can you better support and appreciate your loved ones?
  • What are 10 words you’d use to describe yourself? Now list the 10 words you want to use. How can you make that happen?
  • What’s something new I’ve learned about myself since getting sober?

Prompts for tracking your progress

  • Where was I 1,3, or 5 years ago? What differences am I most proud of? 
  • What would my friends and loved ones say are the biggest ways I’ve changed (for the better)? 
  • What things can I appreciate better now because I’m sober?
  • What have I learned about myself during the recovery process?

The Benefits of Journaling for Addiction Recovery

Science has shown that putting pen to paper can have real, tangible benefits on our health. These benefits include lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and improving liver functionality. However, it’s journaling’s benefits for psychological well-being and cognition that make it so deeply beloved by the addiction recovery community. 

Journaling helps us process our feelings and work through emotions that are difficult to express, like those related to traumatic experiences. This is why writing down our thoughts is a powerful outlet for people struggling with mental illness like anxiety or depression but is particularly beneficial for those in recovery.  

The isolating nature of drug use can leave people feeling isolated and estrange them from loved ones who, after recovery, may not have a support network to express themselves to. There’s also the high probability that those newly in recovery haven’t been alone with their thoughts in a long time and aren’t sure how to deal with them. Journaling provides a safe, judgment-free place to lay out their thoughts–and because it’s so widely accepted as part of mainstream culture, it’s a practice a person can take up without feeling gimmicky and self-conscious.

Another easy way to support your recovery journey is to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous or other 12-step meeting groups. Find an AA group near you, today. 

Is it True That Once an Alcoholic Always an Alcoholic?

Can a recovering alcoholic ever drink again–even just occasionally? Not according to Alcoholics Anonymous. The AA philosophy is that the only way to overcome alcoholism is through complete and total sobriety, the rationale being that someone who had a dysfunctional relationship with drinking could never have a normal relationship with this habit afterward. 

This can seem a pretty black-and-white view of alcohol addiction recovery, but scientifically, it does have some merit. Addiction can permanently rewire our brains and bodies, an occurrence that’s known as epigenetics, that can forever change how our brain reacts to alcohol and other drugs, our stress threshold, and more.  

So is the idea that ‘once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic’ true or not? We answer this once and for all. 

The Epigenetics of Alcoholism

Alcohol may be legal, but it’s a very powerful drug. It’s so powerful that it can permanently rewire our brains and alter how our genes express themselves, even after addiction treatment. These changes can make us more susceptible to addictive behaviors such as lowered stress threshold (more easily upset), a greater inclination to use drugs and alcohol to cope, and heightened susceptibility to becoming addicted to alcohol or other substances.   

So in a way, alcoholism can linger in the brain and body forever. Even a person who’s been sober for decades may still have an increased sensitivity (and therefore, risk) to alcohol, stress, and substance abuse. 

If there’s a will, there’s a way

If you consider how alcoholism (or addiction itself) feeds itself in a cycle of ever-continuing biological and social feedback, you’d recognize how remarkable it is that anyone ever manages to get sober, even if it’s just for a short period of time. Addiction is a scarily efficient disease that thoroughly takes over our bodies, yet just treating the physical symptoms of addiction doesn’t do much for long-term recovery. It’s like putting a bandaid on a sinking ship. 

That’s why even though alcoholism is a medical condition, you can’t undermine the power of willpower. In fact, one of the best indicators of whether a person will successfully complete addiction treatment is motivation. Having a genuine desire to get better can be enough to break the scarily efficient cycle of addiction. Simply wanting to be sober can be a major factor for success.

Addiction is as much psychological as it is physiological–and alcohol is very effective at hijacking our brains and how they operate. That’s why any real shot at getting sober will likely require some sort of counseling or therapy and it’s such an integral part of most alcohol addiction treatment programs.  The same reason why wanting to be sober is so important is why It’s also 

A believer in the idea that a recovered alcoholic should never drink again might point to the common experience known as relapsing. A relapse is when a person abandons the attempt to stay sober after a period of abstinence. It can be a frustrating experience for the person in recovery and their loved ones that feels like it’s a setback at best, failure at worst. 

Not only is this not the case (that relapse is failure) but relapse is totally normal and a part of the recovery journey. Why? Alcoholism is a medical disease like that of diabetes, asthma, or cancer–not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. And like those diseases, there can be up to a 70% chance of relapsing. You would never tell a cancer patient it’s their fault their cancer came back, would you?

Once an alcoholic is always an alcoholic: True or False?

While it’s true that alcoholism can have lingering effects that can make a person more susceptible to falling into bad habits, it doesn’t mean they’re incapable of making lasting change. We don’t like the phrase “Once an alcoholic is always an alcoholic” because it minimizes that people can grow, mature, and change for the better.

Ultimately, whether a recovering alcoholic can ever drink again is a personal decision that only they can determine for themselves. Some people may find that they’re okay with having the occasional sip of beer or wine without losing control. Others may not be or are unwilling to risk it and find out by trying. 

Neither sentiment is more correct than another. The most important thing to keep in mind for a recovered alcoholic considering drinking again is to consider their motivations for wanting to do so and make sure they have support nearby in case things go awry. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, you can find help from others who’ve been in your very shoes. Find an Alcoholics Anonymous group near you today.  

What are the 61 Rules of AA?

Life is full of rules, and so too is the road to sobriety. But the story of the 61 rules of aa (and the origin of rule 62), is a great reminder that sometimes departing from a bunch of rules and the simple approach is best. Here’s the story of how Alcoholics Anonymous came close to having over five dozen rules, and what we can learn from the fact that it didn’t come to pass. 

The 61 Rules of AA

The Alcoholics Anonymous 12 and 12, also known as the book of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, tells a story about the early history of the AA organization (in the chapter about the Fourth Tradition).  A local group had gotten permission to create an elaborate treatment center and community. They determined that there needed to be rules about how this entity would function and operate and devised 61 of them. Unable to come to an agreement amongst themselves, the group sent their list of 61 rules to the New York office of Alcoholics Anonymous for the final say. 

The office, which was run by volunteers of current and past AA members, had no experience or idea of how to run such an entity. After discussing the 61 rules that were sent to them, they came up with the profoundly wise saying: ‘Don’t take yourself too damn seriously”. There you have rule 62 of AA’s origin.

What Does Rule 62 Mean?

It’s easy to get caught up in our lives and our current goals. Even one as important and necessary as getting sober, however, can cause us to get wrapped up in ourselves and what we’re pursuing. Rule 62 is meant to remind us to stay humble and help us keep perspective. Neither is it about belittling the effort it takes to overcome alcoholism.

The reminder to not take ourselves too seriously makes it easier to view our setbacks and mistakes in a kinder light. Having a more lighthearted view of the recovery journey gives us more room to err and also encourages us to be kinder to ourselves in light of ourselves. We’re going to make mistakes (and that’s okay!) and to expect anything else means we’re holding ourselves to an unrealistic standard.  

Another meaning of the rule is to recognize that life can still be enjoyable and pleasurable without alcohol. The weight of addiction hanging over your head can make things seem ‘doom and gloom’ and it can be hard to picture your life in the after stage of addiction. Not taking yourself too seriously also means giving yourself permission to look for joy and fun, to laugh at yourself, and to appreciate the little things, even while in pursuit of something as important as sobriety.  

How to Not Take Yourself Too Seriously

Here are five ways to lighten up during your alcohol addiction recovery journey:

  1. Make new friends. Finding people that you have things in common with and whose presence you enjoy can be a great reminder that you are not an island and that you can still relate to others (and have a good time doing it!). 
  2. Attend fun events. Sure, going to AA meetings is a great thing, but you shouldn’t forget about events that cater to other interests or that would allow you to meet people that aren’t in recovery. These events will help to remind you that you are more than just “in recovery” and can reignite your passion for the future.
  3. Laugh at yourself. The ultimate sign of humility is the ability to laugh at yourself. Being able to find the humor in past, possibly unpleasant, circumstances means that you’ve grown and moved on enough that you can view it with a light heart.

What are the Rules of AA?

Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t really have rules, nor is there an AA rule book. AA recognizes that there’s no one way to go about sobriety. Instead, AA has the 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, the 12 Prayers, and over a hundred AA slogans which are used to guide members through their alcohol addiction and into recovery. Members are encouraged to use all of these resources as best serves them, which could include mixing and matching. 

However, that’s not to say that there’s no structure at all. It’s highly recommended that participants work through the 12 Steps in order, even if they feel stuck on it. The Big Book and other AA literature provide plenty of guidance on the best way to think about alcoholism and recovery and to make progress. And remember that AA doesn’t have a strict ‘my way or the highway’ approach with rules that members must abide by.

Want to learn more about AA? Find an Alcoholics Anonymous group near you today. 

What is the NA (Narcotics Anonymous) Meeting Format?

Narcotics Anonymous was created in 1953 to serve those recovering from any and all types of addiction (as opposed to Alcoholics Anonymous, which had been around for 20 years already, but solely focused on getting over alcoholism). This was the first organization of its type, one that offered a peer-based support group for users of often illegal drugs who before, had few other places to turn. Considering attending an NA meeting for the first time? This quick guide to the Narcotics Anonymous meeting format will tell you what to expect.

The Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Format

Narcotics Anonymous allows its chapters to run almost completely autonomously. As a result, there is bound to be some variation in how meetings are conducted. Aside from following the basic principles, meeting groups are allowed to adapt and change as they wish and conduct themselves in various ways (more on that later). However, there are still plenty of things that these meetings have in common, namely how the beginning and end of meetings are conducted.

  1. 1. Greeting

Once the meeting has begun, a person will open with a moment of silence as well as a recitation of the ‘we’ version of the Serenity Prayer. Afterward, the speaker will ask for first-timers and you may be asked to introduce yourself (you will not be forced to participate if you don’t wish to). 

2. Readings

Every meeting will call on volunteers to read five foundational texts: 

  • Who is an addict
  • What is the NA Program 
  • Why are we here
  • How it works 
  • The Twelve Traditions of NA

3. Secretary Report

This includes announcements, events, updates, and anything else that pertains to a group’s operation. 

4.Discussion

There are various types of discussion formats in Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Some encourage participation from multiple attendees while others are limited to one primary speaker. This is usually determined by the chairperson of the group.

5. Key tags

Key tags are similar to that of AA chips. These are color-coded keyrings that indicate how long a person has been sober. During this portion of the meeting, one of the leaders will announce a certain duration of time (30 days, 9 months, etc.) and call for individuals who have been sober for that corresponding period to get a key tag. 

Key tag color meanings

  • White: Less than 30 days sober
  • Orange: More than 30 days sober
  • Green: 60 days sober
  • Red: 90 days sober
  • Blue: 6 months sober
  • Yellow: 9 months sober
  • Glow in the dark: 1 year sober
  • Gray: 18 months sober
  • Black: Multiple years sober

6. Break

Members can talk with other members, step outside, etc.

7. Passing the basket

Narcotics Anonymous is a fully self-sufficient organization that only accepts donations from its members. First-time NA meeting participants are not expected to give any money, this is only for established members.

8. Reading of the 12th Tradition

 

9. Prayer (Optional)

For those who wish to participate, meetings will conclude with another reading of the Serenity Prayer along with ‘Just For Today’ and the third step prayer.                                                                                                                                               

Types of Narcotics Anonymous Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous is closely modeled after its predecessor and as such, NA meetings are centered around confidentiality and non-judgemental support. The literature that’s read, the types of discussions held, and even who’s allowed to attend the meeting, are all variables that can affect the format of the meeting. 

Discussion vs. Speaker Meetings 

All NA meetings have some element of discussion, the amount of which can vary. Some have a looser, open-sharing format where anyone can speak. This is considered a discussion meeting. Others might have a guided discussion based on certain topics or NA literature led by the chairperson (one of the more senior members of the group who are part of the volunteers who operate the meetings). Then there is what’s known as a speaker meeting, where a single person speaks for the majority of the session.

These meeting formats can be broken down even further, in the way that some of the discussions are conducted. There are round-robin meetings where individuals take turns speaking in a circle; tag meetings where one speaker picks the next person to speak, and even stick meetings where individuals draw a topic to speak on.

Open vs. Closed Meeting

First is the classification of whether a meeting is considered ‘open’ or ‘closed’. Open meetings mean that anyone is welcome to attend, including non-drug users such as friends and family members. Closed meetings, on the other hand, are restricted in attendance only to those who are struggling with addiction or otherwise have a drug use problem. Find a meeting near you today. 

Can I Go To AA If I’ve Been Drinking?

One of the biggest appeals of peer-based addiction recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous is the promise of anonymity in a judgment-free zone. They teach that being short of perfection is okay and that it’s more important to have the right mindset than simply getting everything right the first time. But is there a limit to their ‘come as you are’ attitude? Coming to an AA meeting while intoxicated seems like a (pretty obvious) bad idea. What isn’t immediately clear is whether that’s actively disallowed or just something that’s frowned upon. 

Can I Go To AA If I’ve Been Drinking?

Technically, yes, you can attend an AA meeting while drunk or high. While it’s not ideal, there are no official Alcoholics Anonymous rules about who can attend group meetings or what condition they must be in. That said, individual groups have nearly full autonomy to conduct themselves how they wish (after following the foundations of the Traditions, of course) and may have their own rules regarding a participant showing up in this state. Typically, it’s only those who are belligerent and disruptive that are ever asked to leave. 

Why Is It Frowned Upon?

It boils down to two main reasons. One: If you’re drunk, you’re less likely to get the full benefit of what’s being shared. Attending a meeting might ultimately be a waste of your time and put you at a greater likelihood of being disruptive to others. Two: The sight or smell of an intoxicated person could be triggering to other attendees. Your presence might not just be disruptive but actually detrimental to someone else’s recovery.   

However, people going to AA meetings after they’ve been drinking is far from a rare occurrence. Many groups have unofficial protocols for how these individuals are dealt with and whose members have literally been in that same position.

What to Expect if You’re Drunk at an AA Meeting

Despite how discreet you think you are, other Alcoholics Anonymous attendees will likely be able to tell if you’ve been drinking. In most cases, you will be allowed to stay, though it is within their rights to ask you to leave, which is not unheard of. Here are some things you can expect to happen:

  • You’ll be asked not to share: Speaking is considered a privilege to those who have abstained from drinking for at least 24 hours. Instead, they’ll ask that you only listen. 
  • You can still meet and speak with other members: Odds are strong that at the beginning or end of the meeting, other sober members may take you aside to speak. You’ll likely get several pamphlets, phone numbers, and advice.
  • You’ll be encouraged to come back: Alcoholics Anonymous groups are filled with people who have been in your shoes and genuinely want you to get better. You won’t be shunned or shamed if you go to a meeting drunk. Instead, you’ll be encouraged to return with a gentle suggestion to abstain from drinking before attending.

To Start Somewhere in AA

Don’t let a fear of judgment stop you from getting the help you need. You aren’t the first and certainly won’t be the last person to have gone to AA while drunk, and the only true requirement to joining is a desire to stop drinking (see Tradition Three). Get your sobriety journey started, and find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting near you today.

Who Runs AA Meetings? Alcoholics Anonymous Leadership Roles

Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest peer-based support group in the world, with a presence in 180 nations. Despite its widespread growth and staying power (AA is nearly a century old!) This organization has no formal ruling body. Instead, the smallest levels of the organization, the AA groups themselves, hold most of the power.

The Inner Workings of Alcoholics Anonymous

They run autonomously with little to no interference from the overall organization except for Alcoholics Anonymous’ core principles, the Twelve Traditions, and bylaws. With so little governance at the base and top levels, it can leave many wondering who runs AA meetings and how anything gets done. 

Alcoholics Anonymous Leadership Roles & Duties: AA Service Structure

Although AA purposefully lacks a formal hierarchy (a decision the founders made to prevent corruption of the organization’s initial purpose), that’s not to say that there’s no form of leadership at all. There are multiple leadership roles in AA, all of which are vital to maintaining the structure and functionality of meetings. Tradition Nine speaks explicitly on the necessity of leadership to “preserve our spiritual and democratic Fellowship.”

These duties include the running of the meetings themselves (i.e., welcoming new attendees and leading the introductions; selecting the reading and guiding the discussion) as well as the equally critical behind-the-scenes operations (i.e., buying and setting up refreshments, securing the meeting space, etc.). 

Chairperson

Overseer of the meetings, the chairperson coordinates the other group officers and effectively runs AA meetings. They determine what type of meeting is being held (open or closed), the passages that are read, what the discussion format will be, etc. They also lead the cornerstone aspects of meetings, such as reading the Preamble to begin meetings and then closing with the Serenity Prayer.  

Secretary

The secretary is responsible for record-keeping, making announcements, and general upkeep of the group’s communications. This includes maintaining bulletin boards, newsletters, email/phone contact lists, and taking minutes at business meetings. If an AA group doesn’t have a chairperson, the secretary is the role that usually takes over those duties.

Treasurer

The treasurer allocates group funds (voluntary donations by AA members) to ensure various essential costs are covered, such as rent, AA literature, refreshments, and local meeting lists. In addition to covering the bills, they must maintain records of group funds to determine what to do in the case of excess. 

Who Decides Who Holds A Position?

The individuals who uptake these responsibilities are regarded as the ‘Trusted Servants’ or officers of the group. The multiple positions are chosen democratically by the group attendees. Each individual group similarly determines the eligibility criteria and term lengths. Most leader positions involve individuals who have been sober for at least a year and/or have been a group member for a while. 

These officers are also a great point of contact for prospective AA members and can answer important questions as to the structure of how group meetings are run and what a new attendee can expect. Are you curious about Alcoholics Anonymous or 12-step groups in general? Learn more about what they are and how they work here. 

AA’s Inner Structure Was Built on A Strong Foundation Designed to Last

Alcoholics Anonymous, a worldwide community dedicated to recovery and support, thrives on its group-oriented approach. Despite the absence of a formal hierarchy, key leadership positions, including the Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer, are essential to the efficient functioning of AA meetings. These Trusted Servants are selected democratically by the group’s members and are instrumental in ensuring the success of AA meetings. By delving into the inner workings of AA, you gain valuable insights into the organization’s operations and the critical role leadership plays in fostering a supportive environment for those seeking recovery and solace.

Sources:

https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-16_theaagroup.pdf

Narcotics Anonymous For Families: What It Is & How It Helps

Narcotics Anonymous is a peer-based support group that helps thousands of addicted persons find their motivation to quit using drugs or to continue abstaining from them. But as anyone who’s had a brush with addiction knows, addiction is a disease that affects more than the person with the substance abuse problem. It often hurts friends, family, and other loved ones; those who care for or rely on the drug user. In recognition of this, a separate support group was made—a sort of Narcotics Anonymous for families and friends. If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s drug use, keep reading.  

 

What Is Nar-Anon?

Nar-Anon Family Groups is a “worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction”, which can mean spouses, children, parents, friends, and coworkers. Nar-Anon closely follows the same format as Narcotics Anonymous as well as the same foundational core. Group meeting participants share their opinions, experiences, and frustrations in a confidential setting. Discussions and lessons are guided by a modified program based on the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts. 

 

There is another subset of Nar-Anon focused towards teenagers who have a parent, family member, or friend who struggles with addiction, called Narateen.  

 

The Benefits of Nar-Anon

Drug addiction is often referred to as a family disease because of how wide its impact can be. A person with a substance disorder may lose their job, causing food or housing insecurity for the entire household. Neurological damage can impact their behavior, making them more prone to dangerous or violent behavior or outbursts. Aside from the potential physical or financial burdens of living with an addict, these dysfunctional relationships can bear a heavy emotional toll as well. 

Anger, frustration, guilt, shame, and grief are common feelings for those close to an addicted person to have. Being unable to convince their loved one to go to rehab; recognition of their patterns of enabling behavior; a discovery that they’d been lied to repeatedly. These are just a few of the circumstances that might lead to family and loved ones feeling trapped with emotions they don’t understand or can’t let go of. 

Nar-Anon is a non-professional organization where loved ones can ask and give support to others dealing with similar struggles. Participants share their stories offering both commiseration, hope, and tips for dealing with what many feel like a traumatic experience. But Nar-Anon isn’t just a place to vent. Through a modified 12 step recovery program, it teaches how to be supportive towards the addicted loved one (without enabling) and how to cope with the stress of living with or loving an addict. 

 

Helping Loved Ones Dealing With Addiction

If you are a close relative or friend of a person struggling with addiction, you’ve likely been impacted by their new behavior in some way shape or form. You’re not alone. Find comfort and get help from others who have been in your position and find a Nar-Anon group near you. Meanwhile, you might find it beneficial to recommend that your loved one attends Narcotics Anonymous meetings as well. This will give you both a better platform to understand one another and hopefully repair any damage that was done to the relationship. 

Narcotics Anonymous Rules, Guidelines & Tips For Joining

If you’re eager to join the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship but have never attended a 12-step group before and aren’t sure what to expect, we’ve got you covered. We read the official Narcotics Anonymous literature so that you don’t have to (although we highly recommend that you do check it out yourself at some point). Here’s a skimmable breakdown of Narcotics Anonymous rules for participating in meetings and how to prepare for your first meeting.

 

Narcotics Anonymous “Rules”

You’ve heard the saying before: “The first rule is that there are no rules”. Cheesy, but that’s pretty much the case with Narcotics Anonymous. Members pride themselves on allowing groups to be self-governing and to develop their own identity. NA directly states that they “encourage unity, not uniformity”. As such, there are no hard and fast rules that dictate how to run a meeting or how to participate in one. The Group Booklet offers a set of helpful guidelines that set the expectations of groups and their members. As long as you operate within those parameters and adhere to the organization’s core principles, you don’t have to worry whether you’re breaking any rules or not. 

That said, there are a few standards of conduct that participants should abide by when attending an NA meeting. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. No discussing outside issues. That means nix on religion, politics, and any other topic that isn’t recovery-related. 

 

2. Not all meetings are open to nonaddicts. The walk-in format means that every meeting is available for an addicted person to attend. However, if you wanted to bring a non-addicted loved one to accompany you, this isn’t always the case. Look to see whether an NA group lists their meeting as being “open” or “closed”. An open meeting everyone, addicted or not, is welcome to attend. Closed meetings are only for those who are struggling with addiction.  

 

3. Confidentiality is key. Don’t discuss anything or any of the stories that were spoken about during a meeting. 

 

Tips For Your First NA Meeting

As you can see, the list of actual Narcotics Anonymous rules is quite short. Instead, there’s a lot more that can be said to ensure that your first meeting is a positive experience. Far from being any sort of requirement, here are a few tips and things to expect when you attend:

 

When You First Get There

  • Get there early, plan to stay late. Most groups have designated members to greet and guide first-timers. At least for your very first meeting, aim to get there early and stay a little while longer once the meeting is over. This will allow you to ask questions and feel more comfortable more quickly. 

 

  • Be prepared to pitch in. Narcotics Anonymous emphasizes self-sufficiency for its groups, both financially and logistically. While you’ll never be required to make a donation or make any other monetary contribution, the work that goes into each meeting is shared amongst group members. It’s primarily the responsibility of the elected officers, but stepping up to fulfill some of the smaller duties like making coffee, greeting attendees, or setting up the chairs is helpful and makes for a great first impression.

 

  • You don’t have to provide any personal information. Some groups may have nametags or attendance sheets. You do not need to reveal any information about yourself if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Arriving early will give you the chance to ask how that group operates without being caught off guard. If you feel too self-conscious refusing altogether, feel free to use an alias in place of your real name. Further, most meetings involve hugs as greetings between participants. Feel free to say “no” if it makes you uncomfortable.

 

Sharing

  • Only share once per meeting. It’s awesome that you want to participate and share your story. Due to time constraints, members are asked to limit their sharing to once per meeting, and for five minutes or less. 

 

  • Avoid “crosstalk”. Responding to a member’s sharing by sharing your own experience doesn’t facilitate discussion. If you’d like, talk with that other member privately after the meeting.  

 

  • Minimize the details. Be sensitive to the fact that others may be struggling with cravings or fairly new in their recovery. As such, try to avoid explicit details and descriptions of drug use or other distressing information such as harassment, threats, or financial struggles. Instead, focus on the areas of recovery. 

 

During & After The Meeting

  • Focus on listening rather than sharing. Not only will this allow you to get a better understanding of how the group operates, but you’ll be better able to identify potential sponsors or friends.

 

  • No drugs allowed. A no-brainer. Don’t bring drugs or drug paraphernalia around others who are struggling with substance abuse. Additionally, it’s recommended against attending meetings while intoxicated or if you have used in the past 24 hours, but the stringency may vary by group. 

 

  • Don’t feel pressured to donate. If you’re still feeling out the group and aren’t sure if you want to declare a homegroup just yet, refrain from contributing. Until you are a full-fledge NA member, they ask you to withhold donations so that they can remain self-supporting. 

 

How To Find An NA Meeting

First off, congratulations. If you made it this far and are reading this, it means that you’ve made the choice (or are at least seriously considering) to do something about your drug use problem. Let us go on the record to say that we think that your decision to attend Narcotics Anonymous is a fantastic idea. 

They have an unwavering commitment to privacy and, most importantly, are free to attend and join. These zero-commitment groups are a place where people can begin their recovery process without judgment and stay to maintain their sobriety even after addiction treatment. Even better: they can be found everywhere. Narcotics Anonymous boasts nearly 70,000 meeting groups worldwide. Find an NA meeting near you today with our directory that breaks down locations by state and city. 

Living With An Addict? This Is How & When You Should Kick Them Out

Living with a disease like addiction is tough. However, it’s not just the afflicted who are affected by chronic drug abuse. Drug addiction can negatively impact the entire family dynamic in a number of ways, some of them subtle, some not so much. Despite all the red flags we encounter, our instincts usually tell us to shelter the addicted person and hope for their eventual recovery. But as anyone who’s ever lived with a person addicted to drugs knows, this often backfires to become a dysfunctional relationship of enabling or worse. 

When To Kick A Drug Addict Out

In many cases, the safest thing to do for both you and the addicted person might be to remove them from your home. They might become belligerent or verbally abusive when high, consort with shady people and engage in criminal acts (and bring those people around your home), or put dangerous substances within reach of children by storing drugs around the house. However, romantic feelings, denial, guilt, or a host of other sentiments might prevent you from recognizing when things have gone too far. Here are 4 signs that you should remove an addict from your home, plus, how to do so properly.

1. Violent behavior

Any kind of abuse is an immediate deal-breaker, but physical abuse is particularly unacceptable. Whether the addicted person has threatened, intentionally intimidated, or has physically laid hands on you or another resident in the household, it’s imperative that you take action quickly. It’s rarely a “one-time thing” as many domestic abusers claim.  

2. There are children around

Children are extremely impressionable and the negative influence of an addicted person can be traumatizing. A child who’s around this type of environment can be almost twice as likely to abuse drugs themselves when they get older. These children also tend to have heightened or chronic stress and impaired social development. 

3. You gave them an ultimatum

You’ve cried. You’ve pleaded. You’ve had the intervention trying to convince them that they have an addiction but still, they refuse to change or go to rehab. If you gave an ultimatum, it’s imperative that you follow through with your threats the first time. Otherwise, they’re very likely to overstep your kindness and take advantage of you. The sad truth is that sometimes, being kicked out is the kind of wake-up call an addict needs to realize that they’ve burned all their bridges, their drug habit is out of control, and that they need professional help.

4. Committed a crime

Drug addiction is a slippery slope, and we don’t just mean the health risks. Small things like stealing can quickly snowball into other, more serious, crimes. If your loved one is engaging in criminal activity, it could bring a lot of unwanted attention from authorities that disrupt the peace at home for everyone else. There is the possibility of you facing legal consequences for being associated with them, however, the most likely risk is that their crimes will escalate, getting you involved in a dangerous crowd.

How To Legally Evict An Addict You Live With

If you think you’re doing your loved ones a favor while giving them a place to stay, you’d be wrong. This kind of living arrangement is one that’s harmful to all parties involved, especially if children are involved. Living with an addict can risk the emotional, physical, and even financial well-being of others in the household as well as themselves. However, the process of removing someone from your home can be tricky. 

Evicting someone isn’t as simple as physically removing them and their belongings from your home, even if you own the residence and you’ve only been allowing them to stay under an informal agreement. Eviction is a legal process that requires a formal procedure involving attorneys, motions, and courtrooms. There are several different avenues to do this depending on your relationship with the addicted person:

  • A formal hearing: An attorney can file a legal motion on your behalf to have the addicted person removed from your residence. These hearings are short and fast. If successful, a court order or temporary court order for the offender to vacate the premises. 
  • Law enforcement: In the face of an immediate threat to you or others in the household, local law enforcement can forcibly remove the addicted person. This will then be followed by an arraignment hearing where a judge will determine if they should be allowed back in your home. 
  • Contract violation: If you are renting, your lease may provide the legal grounds to remove a fellow tenant from the premises. If the agreement mentions breaking of laws or illicit drug use, their right to tenancy can be revoked. Unfortunately, this can be difficult if the rental complex is in the name of the addicted person.
  • Breaking up with your spouse: If you dissolve your romantic relationship with the addicted person, you will have the opportunity to file for exclusive use and occupancy order. In addition to removing the addicted person from having the right to reside with you, it applies to child custody as well.  

Prior to making a big announcement or changing the locks, you’ll want to have the aid of a legal or addiction treatment professional and gather evidence to support your claim for eviction. 

Take photos and videos of their behavior, get testimonials from friends and families who can attest to the severity of their alcohol or drug use. Some of the best proof you can have is a signed agreement or another form of acknowledgment from the addicted person attesting to awareness of their drug use issue.

Where Will They Go?

While you should not have to be concerned with where your spouse will go when you kick them out, we understand that you likely will consider this. While the hope will be that they go to a residential treatment program with family therapy treatment, they may not be open to it.

Perhaps they have friends or family who will be able to take them, it is also good for them to have to figure it out themselves. Consider providing information on residential facilities and programs designed to help those with nowhere else to go.

Addiction Affects The Entire Family

Whether it’s your spouse, parent, sibling, or child, making the decision to evict an addicted loved one is a difficult decision to make. No one ever even imagines their loved one could be capable of being a danger to themselves or others, but this is the heartbreaking reality of drug addiction. The experience of living with a drug addict can carry immense stress, emotionally, physically, and even financially. 

Al-Anon is a fantastic resource for the family and friends of an addicted person. These peer-based support groups offer suffering loved ones a chance to both learn how to deal with their own feelings as well as how to better support the addicts in their lives. Find an Al-Anon meeting near you, today.