The NA Step Working Guides emerged from a Fellowship need in the early 1980s, driven by requests for standardized step guides and worksheets․
These guides, initially termed “Step Writing Guides,” evolved to “Step Working Guides” to be inclusive of all members, regardless of writing ability․
What are the NA Step Working Guides?
The NA Step Working Guides are a collection of resources designed to assist members of Narcotics Anonymous in navigating the Twelve Steps of recovery․ They represent a collaborative effort born from within the NA Fellowship, responding to a growing demand for a standardized approach to step work․
These guides aren’t intended to be prescriptive, but rather to stimulate thought and encourage personal exploration of each Step․ Each chapter uniquely blends narrative sections – written in a unifying “we” voice – with individualized question sections, prompting self-reflection using the “I” voice․
They serve as a companion to the foundational text, It Works: How and Why, offering a practical framework for applying the principles of recovery․ The guides are adaptable for all recovery stages, welcoming newcomers and those revisiting the Steps․
History and Development of the Guides
The journey towards the NA Step Working Guides began in the early 1980s, fueled by a consistent influx of independently created step guides and worksheets received by the NA community․ Members actively requested a unified, standardized resource for working through the Twelve Steps․
This demand propelled the project onto the NA World Service Conference Literature Committee’s priority list․ Finally, at WSC95, the Conference officially directed the World Service Conference Literature Committee (WSCLC) to undertake the development of these guides․
Initially titled “Step Writing Guides,” the name was thoughtfully changed to “Step Working Guides” to ensure inclusivity, recognizing that not all members may be comfortable or able to express their journey through writing․
Purpose and Intended Audience
The NA Step Working Guides are designed to facilitate a deeper understanding and personal application of the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous․ Each chapter thoughtfully blends narrative sections with individualized question prompts, encouraging introspection and self-discovery throughout the recovery process․
The narrative voice utilizes “we” to emphasize the shared experience of addiction and recovery, fostering a sense of unity among members․ Conversely, the questions are phrased using “I” to empower individuals to personalize their work with the Steps․
These guides serve as a companion to “It Works: How and Why,” offering a practical tool for members at any stage of recovery, whether new to the Steps or revisiting them․
Understanding the Structure of the Guides
These guides uniquely combine narrative sections – promoting unity – with personalized question sections, and are designed to be used alongside “It Works: How and Why․”
Narrative Sections: Promoting Unity
The narrative portions within each chapter of the NA Step Working Guides are intentionally crafted to foster a sense of shared experience and unity among members․ Written in the collective “we” voice, these sections emphasize the common ground shared by all individuals in recovery: the struggle with addiction and the journey towards healing․
This deliberate choice of language aims to minimize feelings of isolation and reinforce the understanding that recovery is not a solitary pursuit․ The narratives aren’t intended to be exhaustive explanations, but rather prompts for thoughtful consideration before engaging with the more personal question sections․ They serve as a foundation, reminding everyone of the shared challenges and triumphs inherent in the Twelve Step process․
Question Sections: Personalizing Recovery
In contrast to the unifying “we” voice of the narrative sections, the question portions of the NA Step Working Guides are deliberately written using the individual “I” voice․ This shift in perspective is crucial for facilitating a deeply personal and individualized recovery experience;
These questions aren’t meant to be answered collectively, but rather to encourage each member to introspectively examine their own experiences, feelings, and beliefs in relation to the specific Step being explored․ The aim is to empower individuals to tailor the Twelve Step process to their unique needs and circumstances, fostering a sense of ownership over their recovery journey․
Companion Literature: “It Works: How and Why”
The NA Step Working Guides are intentionally designed as a companion piece to the foundational text, “It Works: How and Why․” While the Guides offer a focused, step-by-step approach with narrative and personalized questions, “It Works” provides a more comprehensive and in-depth discussion of each of the Twelve Steps․
Members are encouraged to utilize both resources in tandem, drawing upon the broader context and explanations found in “It Works” to enrich their understanding and application of the principles explored within the Guides․ Furthermore, additional insights into NA recovery principles can be found throughout the wider range of published NA literature, supporting a holistic approach to recovery․
Step One: Admitting Powerlessness
Step One centers on honestly acknowledging our addiction and the loss of control it holds over our lives, paving the way for hope and recovery․
Identifying Our Addiction
The initial task of Step One involves a thorough and honest examination of our lives, pinpointing the patterns and consequences directly linked to our addictive behaviors․ This isn’t simply acknowledging substance use, but recognizing how addiction has impacted all facets of our existence – relationships, finances, emotional well-being, and spiritual connection․
The NA Step Working Guides encourage us to explore the ways our attempts to control our lives through addiction have ultimately failed․ We must identify the specific behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that perpetuate the cycle of addiction, understanding that our powerlessness isn’t a moral failing, but a fundamental reality of the disease․ This identification is crucial for building a foundation of honesty and acceptance, essential for moving forward in recovery․
Honest Self-Assessment
A cornerstone of Step One is undertaking a brutally honest self-assessment, a process often challenging yet profoundly liberating․ The NA Step Working Guides emphasize the importance of examining our past behaviors without judgment, acknowledging the pain caused to ourselves and others․ This isn’t about dwelling on regret, but about gaining clarity regarding the destructive nature of our addiction․
This assessment requires courage, as it necessitates confronting uncomfortable truths and dismantling denial․ We must be willing to look at the totality of our experience, recognizing the patterns of self-deception and rationalization that fueled our addiction․ The guides prompt us to ask ourselves difficult questions, fostering a deeper understanding of our powerlessness and paving the way for acceptance․
The Role of Hope
Even while admitting powerlessness, the NA Step Working Guides stress that Step One isn’t solely about despair; it’s fundamentally rooted in hope․ Recognizing we’ve lost control is the first step towards recovery, opening the door to the possibility of a better life․ This hope isn’t naive optimism, but a grounded belief that change is possible, even when we feel utterly defeated․
The guides encourage us to remember times we wanted to change, moments of clarity amidst the chaos․ This nascent desire, however small, represents a seed of hope․ Acknowledging this inherent longing for a different existence is crucial․ It’s the foundation upon which we build a new life, free from the grip of addiction, and a testament to our inherent worth․
Step Two: Belief in a Power Greater Than Ourselves
Step Two in the guides centers on coming to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, recognizing our reliance on something beyond our own control for recovery․
Defining “Power Greater Than Ourselves”
The NA Step Working Guides acknowledge that defining a “Power Greater Than Ourselves” is deeply personal․ It isn’t necessarily a traditional religious concept, but rather any source of strength and hope that an individual can turn to for support․
This power could be the group itself, the principles of the NA program, nature, or any positive force that inspires belief and encourages surrender․
The guides emphasize that the crucial element is finding something that instills faith and provides a foundation for recovery, allowing members to move forward with hope and a sense of purpose․ It’s about recognizing we don’t have to carry the burden of addiction alone․
Exploring Spiritual Concepts
The NA Step Working Guides encourage members to explore spiritual concepts without imposing any specific belief system․ Spirituality, within the context of the program, centers on principles of honesty, hope, faith, and the willingness to surrender to a power greater than oneself․
This exploration isn’t limited to religion; it encompasses a broader search for meaning and connection․
The guides suggest considering values like love, compassion, and service as potential avenues for spiritual growth․ It’s about cultivating a sense of inner peace and recognizing a connection to something larger than individual struggles, fostering a foundation for lasting recovery․
Coming to Believe
The NA Step Working Guides acknowledge that belief isn’t always immediate; it’s a process cultivated through experience and openness․ Initially, “coming to believe” might involve simply being willing to consider the possibility of a power greater than oneself․
This willingness can grow through actively applying the principles of the program and witnessing positive changes in one’s life․
The guides emphasize that faith isn’t about blind acceptance, but rather a gradual unfolding of trust as members observe the benefits of surrender and connection․ It’s a personal journey, and the guides support individual exploration․
Step Three: Making a Decision to Turn Our Will and Our Lives Over to the Care of God
Step Three, as outlined in the guides, isn’t about giving up, but a conscious surrender to a greater power for guidance and strength in recovery․
Surrender vs․ Giving Up
The NA Step Working Guides carefully distinguish between surrender and simply giving up․ Giving up implies defeat and resignation, a passive acceptance of powerlessness that leaves us stuck in destructive patterns․
Surrender, however, is an active choice, a willingness to acknowledge our limitations and seek help from a power greater than ourselves․ It’s recognizing that our own will has consistently led to harm and that a different path is needed․
This isn’t about losing control, but rather shifting the focus of control; We release the illusion that we can manage our lives and our addiction alone, and open ourselves to guidance and support․ The guides emphasize that daily surrender is crucial, a continuous process of letting go and trusting in something bigger than ourselves․
The Importance of Daily Surrender
The NA Step Working Guides highlight that surrender isn’t a one-time event, but a continuous, daily practice․ Addiction thrives on the illusion of control, and reclaiming our lives requires a consistent relinquishing of that false power․
Each day presents new challenges and temptations, moments where we’re invited to revert to old patterns․ Daily surrender means consciously choosing to turn those challenges over to our Higher Power, trusting that we don’t have to face them alone․
This ongoing process builds faith and strengthens our connection to something greater․ It allows us to navigate life’s difficulties with humility and acceptance, fostering a sense of peace and freedom from the relentless grip of addiction․
Finding Strength in Faith
The NA Step Working Guides emphasize that Step Three isn’t about blind obedience, but about discovering a source of strength beyond our own limited capabilities․ This strength is found through faith – a belief in something greater than ourselves that can guide and support us․
For many, this faith evolves over time, beginning as a simple hope and growing into a profound trust․ It’s a recognition that we are not alone in our struggles and that a power exists that can help us overcome our addiction․
This faith provides the courage to face our fears, the resilience to withstand setbacks, and the unwavering hope needed to continue on the path of recovery․
Using the Guides Effectively
These guides are designed for all recovery stages, encouraging a personalized pace and benefiting from group support and sponsorship for deeper understanding․
Working Through the Steps at Your Own Pace
The NA Step Working Guides intentionally avoid a rigid structure, recognizing that recovery is a deeply personal journey with varying timelines for each individual․
Members are encouraged to progress through the steps at a comfortable speed, allowing ample time for reflection, honest self-assessment, and integration of the principles into daily life․
There’s no prescribed schedule; some may delve deeply into one step for weeks, while others may move more quickly, guided by their own needs and experiences․
The guides support this individualized approach by offering both narrative prompts and personal questions, fostering a flexible and empowering process․
Remember, the goal isn’t simply completion, but genuine understanding and lasting change․
Group Support and Sponsorship
The NA Step Working Guides are most effectively utilized in conjunction with the support of a sponsor and participation in Narcotics Anonymous meetings․
Sharing experiences, strengths, and hopes with others provides invaluable perspective and encouragement throughout the step work process․
A sponsor, having successfully navigated the steps themselves, can offer guidance, accountability, and a safe space for honest discussion․
Group settings allow members to learn from diverse perspectives and realize they are not alone in their struggles․
These guides serve as a tool, but the human connection fostered through sponsorship and meetings is crucial for sustained recovery․
Utilizing Dictionaries and Other Resources
The NA Step Working Guides acknowledge that recovery language can sometimes be unfamiliar, encouraging members to proactively expand their understanding․
If encountering terms that are unclear, utilizing a dictionary is strongly recommended to ensure a thorough grasp of the concepts presented․
Beyond dictionaries, exploring other NA literature, such as It Works: How and Why, provides deeper insights into the principles of the Twelve Steps․
These guides are designed to be accessible, but supplementing them with additional resources can enrich the recovery journey․
Don’t hesitate to seek clarification and broaden your knowledge base to maximize the benefits of step work․
