Nar-Anon Family Groups

Twelve Step Recovery Program

~ One Day At A Time ~

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How Nar-Anon Works
Honesty Openness Willingness

The Principles of Nar-Anon Family Groups are found in
Our Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.

Nar-Anon Family Groups Program of Recovery is for those of us who are living
With the daily challenges and heartache of the family disease of addiction.

We love someone who is addicted to drugs...
That is our challenge.

Nar-Anon Family Group folks know what it is like to be alone
In the very moment that we realize someone we love is addicted to drugs.

We know the feeling of panic, frustration, fear, anger, terror, hopelessness and desperation
That shatters our lives into a million sharp, jagged, painful pieces.

We know that this relentless pain
Brought us to our spiritual and sometimes literal knees in a moment's time.

We know all of this by heart... And we reach out to you now...
To invite you to join our Nar-Anon Family Groups Program of Recovery
To invite you to participate in our Nar-Anon Family Groups Fellowship
To invite you to Nar-Anon Family Groups Meetings in your local community
To invite you to call one of us TODAY... RIGHT NOW... And let us help you to see...
That you can recover from your hopelessness and fear for your loved one
That you can learn ways to restore your sanity one day at a time
That you can LIVE your life for yourself once again
And that you can feel all that you feel without fearing that it is all too much...
Without fearing that your feelings will take you over and under any moment now.

In the Nar-Anon Family Groups Program of Recovery, we learn that...

Drug addiction is a family disease.

The addict cannot see that their addiction affects more lives than just theirs.

Those of us who love an addict begin to learn...
To become AWARE of the effects of the family disease of addiction
To ACCEPT life on life's terms one day at a time
And to take ACTION in our lives to help ourselves through the devastating effects of...
The family disease of addiction.

We learn together that...
We did not CAUSE the family disease of addiction
We cannot CURE the family disease of addiction
And... We cannot CONTROL the family disease of addiction.

Mostly... We learn that...
Coping with the family disease of addiction
Is too much for us to manage alone.
So, we break free of the isolation of hopelessness
By participating in the Nar-Anon Program of Recovery

We share our Experience, Strength and Hope in many ways

We call each other on the phone
We meet for coffee or a meal
We join together in face to face local weekly meetings
We connect with each other at Online Forums and Chatroom Meetings
We rally together at Local, National and Global Conventions.

Nar-Anon Family Groups Program of Recovery is mostly about learning that
We are never alone. Never again.

The addict needs help and so do we. We discover that many of our efforts to control or change the situation were often actually enabling or encouraging our loved one to continue a self-destructive pattern. It has been a great relief to learn more effective ways of coping with the family disease of addiction; while at the same time gaining some personal peace of mind, hope, and help for a better way to live our own lives One Day At A Time.

Many times, the addict is simply not ready or willing to stop using, even when confronted with the facts. But we have learned there is much we can do to encourage their recovery. For the addict seeking help, drug recovery programs are available.

Nar-Anon Family Groups is a program of recovery for the parent, spouse, significant other, child, brother, sister, lover, friend, neighbor, coworker... of the addicted loved one in our lives. Nar-Anon Family Groups can bring new insight about our attitudes, behavior and emotions. It can be the source for regaining our own sanity and well-being. We learn that addiction is a family disease and we need recovery too.

Through the Nar-Anon Family Groups Program of Recovery
We discover answers that can lead to serenity and peace of mind.
When you participate in a Nar-Anon Family Group...

You are no longer alone.

You are among friends who understand your problems
As few others can.

We have discovered acceptance, understanding, support, love, even humor...
In our participation in the Nar-Anon Family Groups Fellowship.

We have learned that...

No one knows what it feels like
To be chased around a tree by a bear
Than someone who has been chased around a tree by a bear.
(paraphrased from the book "The Wife of the Alcoholic ~ A Pattern to Happiness",
By Lewis Presnall (c) 1964: Utah Alcoholism Foundation. Revised Edition

Nar-Anon Family Group Fellowship offers Experience, Strength and Hope
That can help you make changes towards a better way of life.
Anonymity is the foundation of Nar-Anon Family Groups.
We will respect your confidence and anonymity as we trust you will respect ours.

Nar-Anon is not a religious program but a spiritual way of life
Based on a Twelve Step/Twelve Tradition philosophy embracing all beliefs.
We have found that working these Steps and Traditions
Can bring solutions to many problems.

We urge you to take this program seriously.
Feel free to ask questions after the meeting,
Keeping an open mind and attending as many meetings as possible.

Nar-Anon Family Groups believe that addiction is a family disease.

The realization that we are powerless over this disease frees us from a misguided sense of responsibility towards the addict.

Throughout our recovery proces, we ask for the serenity, courage and wisdom to see things as they really are and the honesty, openness and willingness to change the only person we can change... Ourselves....With the help of a Higher Power.

Then, and only then, can we begin to be of any help to ourselves and our loved ones.

THE AIMS OF NAR-ANON

The purpose of Nar-Anon is for the comfort and care of families and friends whose lives have been affected through the use of mind altering substances by a loved one.

The primary aim of Nar-Anon is for the recovery of the families and friends of users whose lives have been subjected to the completely unacceptable behaviour of the user. To come to terms with this trauma and distress helps us in regaining a degree of serenity and happiness.

A further aim of Nar-Anon is to encourage understanding, caring support and changed attitudes towards the user in an endeavour to improve the family situation. The user may see this as positive support and it may possibly contribute towards his or her recovery.

HOW CAN NAR-ANON HELP?

The Principles of Nar-Anon as a way of life
Nar-Anon Family Group Meetings
Nar-Anon Fellowship of Shared Experience, Strength and Hope
Recovery of our own lives by practicing Nar-Anon Principles

HOW DO NAR-ANON MEETINGS WORK?

The only requirement to join the Nar-Anon Family Groups Fellowship
Is that your life has been affected
By a loved one who is addicted to drugs.

Meetings are completely anonymous as only first names are used.
Meetings last for an hour and a half, during which time members can share their their experience, strength and hope
And their problems and worries with others
Without being interrupted.

After the meeting we enjoy a cup of tea or coffee together.
This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your situation
With someone you can relate to, one on one.
There are no dues or fees for membership.

Nar-Anon is entirely self-supporting through voluntary contributions of its members
And from the sale of its pamphlets and literature.

Although Nar-Anon has no affiliation with Narcotics Anonymous or with any other organization, it does cooperate with all agencies, individuals and groups involved in the rehabilitation of addicts and their families.

Recovery of the family from the devastating effects of active addiction or drug abuse
Is one of Nar-Anon's primary goals.

For More Information about Nar-Anon Family Group Meetings
In your local community

Please visit Nar-Anon Family Groups World Services

Please take a moment to view/sign the Nar-Anon Family Groups Guestbook