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Just for TodayOn the BayThe Ties That Bind UsTogetherThe Bay Area NewsletterFebruary/March/April 2004Recovery in PrintJust for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 1
When I think of this introduction to theTwelve Traditions, I’m reminded that N.A.is a “global” fellowship. We are tied togroups and members all over the world. Ihear the old-timers share about the immensestruggles in the early days, and there is always recognition of how important it was tomaintain the connection between membersand groups, regardless of age, race, sex, ethnic or social backgrounds. These “ties thatbind us together” helped us keep our primary purpose first, in the spirit of unity andgroup conscience.It has been my experience in recovery that Ican disagree and express my views, becausethe Traditions give me a voice and allow meto think freely and for myself. The rest ofthe story is that I have an ego that wants tobully and strong-arm everyone to believewhat I believe, because I believe that Iknow what’s best or right. Most of the timemy intentions are good, but my actions donot represent the principles of unity, personal responsibility and open-mindedness. Iam aware of how others use manipulation,intimidation and aggression to split members and groups, because I have recognizedthe same shortcomings in myself.the ties, or common ground we all standupon were evident and present above theegos and personalities.It is said in our literature that the Traditionsprotect us from internal and external controversies, which means from ourselves. Someof the ways that I respect the ties that bindus are, first and foremost, to try and serveN.A. by helping another addict. To be anexample of unity and responsibility by trying not to judge or gossip about others. Toparticipate as an equal member of the Fellowship. To try to guide what I say to others and share at meetings so that I am honest, not cruel.I try to be unafraid to stand up for whatN.A. represents, and not what I represent.AnonymousThere have been countless situations in mypersonal relationships and at group conscience meetings where there was balanceand harmony (“all will be well”) becauseJust for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 2
The ties that bind us together are strongerthan those that will tear us apart if we stayvigilant. As “old-timers” we must set a better example for the newcomers so that theymay understand that it is only through vigilance that this is obtained.The program of N.A., not the Fellowship, iswhere these principles are found. It is themyth of the 90-day-wonder, and the treatment centers that give the misunderstandingof the principle of the program. The textbook, meetings, sponsors, the Steps, theTraditions, these things are the basicH.O.W. of the program.It is not fair to the lives of the newcomersthat we go to meeting after meeting and sitback and co-sign the B.S. We are a societythat is based on N.A. principles alone, andwe are not affiliated with any outside enterprises.The atmosphere of recovery is based onwhat we do, and what we say in the presence of the newcomers.When the student is ready, the teacher willappear.Signed,No Matter What, No Matter What,No Matter What!12/13/86 (One Day At A Time)“The ties that bind us together” are greaterthan the world that could tear us apart. It’sbeen a long time coming, but where do youstart? You start by giving thanks to yourhigher power for shedding his grace, andgiving his mercy and love. And to the menand women who came before us who livedand died to show us a better way to livewithout using dope. Our faces may be different, our complexions not the same. See,it is much deeper than race, sex or creed.It’s about what you really want out of life.What do you truly believe? If you thinkabout it, we are all the same. We all feelshame and pain. We all have wants andneeds, we feel remorse and bleed.We all lived to use and used to live, butonce you put the drugs down you really startto feel there is a purpose to the master plan.Just stop and take time to listen and you willunderstand.There are no big I’s or little U’s, becauseeven if one addict dies, we all lose a part ofourselves that we can never get back.So stay on track, for the ties that bind us areour experience, strength and hope. It’s thebelief that addicts do change, and we neverhave to use dope!Anthony E.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 3
Often times I am perplexed by the suggested topics for our Area newsletter. Iguess it is all a matter of perception and perspective. It always make me think aboutwhat these topics mean, and what they meanto me. The ties that bind us together couldmean so many different things to differentpeople.Our diversity is our strength. I believe thatfor me those “ties” are our spiritual principles. I have had to do service work withpeople I wasn’t particularly fond of, but wedid it because what we were doing was forthe greater good. I may have disagreementswith people, but I always have to go back tothe idea that even if I don’t like what an individual may be doing, I have to believethat they would never do anything to intentionally harm Narcotics Anonymous.I know that my behavior has left somethingto be desired on many occasions since Ihave been clean. I believe in the principleof perseverance, showing up even when Ihave embarrassed myself or been humbled.Integrity is a binding principle for me.Maintaining my integrity means that I tryto do the right things for the right reasons,even when I don’t want to, and even whenno one else is watching.The process of the Steps helps me to discover what our principles are, and mysponsor assists with the process of figuringout when and how to act on these preciousprinciples. Service is a wonderful arena inwhich to try out the principles. We allknow that being involved in service allowsus many opportunities to engage in the useof spiritual principles. I’m sure that I havecaused a resentment or two (or thirty) inthe world of service!I love Narcotics Anonymous, and I am sograteful that this God-given program hassurvived all of our personalities. It hasonly survived because of the binding ties.Thanks for listening,Peace,Kristy F.Survival is a binding principle for me. Icannot live without the program of Narcotics Anonymous. I know this because I existed in a life (during the time that I was using) that lacked direction and anything elsethat was redeeming, until I got clean.RJust for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 4
“.as long as the ties that bind us together are fying yourself in a multifaceted way? It’sstronger than those that would tear us apart really simple. Are you a man or a womanall will be well ”whose life was controlled by the use ofdrugs (which includes alcohol)? Then youI was asked to take a minute and write some- are like us an addict.thing besides poetry for this newsletter, so Igave a little thought to what the topic means Separating ourselves and putting differentto me. I was always told that when you are labels on ourselves does not promote unity.asked to do something you do it, because We need unity and we need to identify asthat’s your Higher Power stretching you in addicts so that no addict seeking recoverypreparation for growth.need ever die.The first thing that comes to mind is that weread a lot of material at the beginning of ourmeetings. One of the things we read about isour common last name, ADDICT. We askthat people not identify themselves as crossaddicted, alcoholics, etc., because the term“addict” encompasses everything.I used to cringe when people did this, and Iwould fight it vehemently. Now I realize thatsome people don’t fully understand what wemean when we ask that they not identifythemselves in any other manner than “addict”.So, here is an opportunity for me to speak mypeace Basically, the first tie that binds us together isthat we are addicts. We are not cross-addictedto a number of substances. We are addicts,meaning addicted.One thing that keeps me clean is to giveaway what was so freely given to me.Sometimes what was given to me wassomeone pulling me aside and telling mewhat things meant, even when I didn’t wantto hear it. I didn’t want to hear these lessons because I was self-centered, and Ithought I already knew everything anyway!My job in recovery is to be here when anaddict reaches out for help. Sometimes wegive a little guidance in just the right way sothat someone can understand and save theirlife.Those of us who have some recovery realizethat when we first came to N.A. we didn’tknow what was wrong with us, and it wasonly by coming back that we slowly startedto realize what things really meant. Thingsfinally started to sink in. You know what Imean .?Our readings state that “we don’t care what orhow much you used”, so why would we wantyou to confuse a simple program by identiJennifer S.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 5
“Could we have a meeting if no one showedup with a key?”, someone asked me.I responded, “We can and we do, if in ourhearts we are free.”“What about that person I really don’t like?”I responded. “I’ve found my resistance, itjust isn’t right. And fortunately for me, theenemy I found was me!”“But what about the whores and thepimps?” I responded, “We learn how not tomake those labels fit.”Someone said to me, “Sleeping with newcomers, it’s just a shame.” I responded, “Ithink loneliness is to blame.”“What about all those different cliques, youknow, the northside, the southside, thebeachside, and those club-housers who areso terribly sick!”I responded, “It’s my perception and judgment that’s learning to go, and any meetingI go to is because I want to grow.”“But what about the people who have toshare at every meeting they go to, and howthey always need to say, “I’ve been clean somany years.”I responded, “Who am I to say what part inmy Higher Power’s world they play? If Idon’t use, and I go to meetings, I get onemore day.”I said to someone I remember when I foundN.A., “I could not look in your eyes, I couldnot pray, I couldn’t stop using.I could not live life on life’s terms. I was aliar, a cheat, and a walking zombie standingup on my feet.”And then I came here. I felt something different that filled that void deep inside. Iwas told to keep coming back, and that mystory was important, and so is yours.”I prayed that the paranoia would be removed. I sat with my back to the wall,checking the doors, and slowly I began tobelieve that I have a disease.I started feeling the “we” and little by little Ilearned how not to compare, to see similarities instead, and to disagree without beingdisagreeable.I learned that abstinence does not equal recovery, but guidance from my sponsor, theSteps and the Traditions are the key.“How did I learn this?” you say. I madeevery mistake possible, and sometimes stilldo. I did all those things I accused you ofdoing, and then Somehow, that Power I felt in my firstmeeting came true. No Addict Seeking Recovery Ever Need Die From The Disease OfAddiction.We Do Recover.I found hope for me, and I found hope foryou!AnonymousJust for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 6
I know that the ties that bind us together include many things our common experience in our addiction, our involvementswith the tools of recovery (like the Stepsand Traditions), and the human side of ournew world (like sponsorship, service work,and our social lives in N.A.) Sharing thesethings helps us to create a history together,and having this history binds us to eachother, and helps us to weave a fabric sostrong that we can survive “life on life’sterms” without the use of drugs.One person who is bound to me will remember all those late nights when I rangtheir phone and cried, wondering if my boyfriend who traveled in his work missed meas much as I missed him. Another will remember grabbing me at the end of mymother’s funeral and taking me outside tosit under a tree and just “be”. And anotherremembers all too well sitting next to meand holding my hand for five days and fivelong nights after I ruptured a disc in myback.There are more people and moments likethese in our recovery history than we canpossibly catalogue, but the point is wellmade.The days we spend together, the events thatcome both tragic and mundane, the challenges we face on a daily basis truly bind ustogether. It becomes our history.It makes us a family.AnonymousAnd I have learned how to open my heartand my life to share your history with you.I have been with you at the birth of your babies, weddings, graduations, and muchmore. Together we have created and arecreating new history. What a blessing it isto have this kind of continuity in our lives.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 7
The ChoiceLife Is A JourneyIn the battle of heaven or hell,There is a place where dark secrets dwell.One is dark and one is light,One brings fear, the other life.We have the choice, we have the right,To bring the darkness into the light.It starts with sadness, tears and shame,And ends in surrender ,And giving up the pain.Ending isolation, ending the game,We return to life and choose our paths,And most times we even learn to laugh.Living in the here and now,We find the direction,We find the H.O.W.True to the essence of what I am meant tobe,So I walk a path that calls me to.Along this journey,I have experienced many things,My heart has had songs to sing.Lessons that I wouldn’t pass us, even today,A bit far fetched, some might say.Joys and sorrows, pains and pleasures,Each it’s own unique treasure.The distance between now and thenis undefined,Goals and dreams have become more refined.Time is no longer circumstance,And life is no longer just about chance.What a precious few may be blessed tolearn,What I have realized and made my concern,Life is a journey to the soul that dwellswithin,The path for each is different, but akin.AnonymousTo EveryoneLove everyone,The more people you love,The more blessings you get.Love without exception,Because at the very end,This is what we want Love.We are here to learn to love.Once we learn how to love,We will obtain Nirvana.Jennifer S.Jose G.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 8
I started using when I was twelve. My bestfriend was with me. We encouraged eachother. Our first dialogue getting high: “Doyou think you’re a burnout?” he said. “Idon’t know” I replied. “I am, and I thinkit’s a privilege.” I don’t know why I can remember that dialogue so well, other than itwas the first time I acknowledged that I wasa “druggie”, so to speak. By the time wewere sixteen we had done every drug possible in almost every fashion. We hustled together.We got arrested three times together. At onetime we were put into the newspaper. Theyhad mismatched our names putting his firstname with my last name and my first namewith his last name. Naturally, our parents,as liberal as they were among the parents inour community, knew we had to be split up.We related to each other too much. Hismother drank. My father drank. We hadnumerous relatives who used and dealtdrugs. We were used to “scenes” and towithdrawal. Chaos was the norm.I hit bottom when I turned twenty-one. Itotaled his car, went to jail, and was facingprison. After finally complying with thecourts protocol, I was released, and within amonth I got clean for the first time. Myfriend did not. Since I was driving the car,the courts mandated that I go to meetingsand substance education. He didn’t get arrested that time. I moved to Florida.After a short period of time I got clean andstarted working the program. He stayedout. Nine years later, he came in. For thenine years he was out there we had limitedcontact. I would stop by his house when Iwas in town, but I couldn’t stay long. Idon’t even know why I would stop. Itwould just scare me. After a few years Iwouldn’t come by at all.And then he got clean. At first, when Ispoke to him he had about six months. Atthat time I was going on eleven years. Thiswas the first coincidence in the early yearsof knowing someone in recovery that I hadused with before, and this was my bestfriend from when I was a kid!He parroted metaphors and program quotes,some I hadn’t heard in years. We redeveloped our friendship. I relapsed shortly afterwe started talking again and he was veryhurt. Since then, we talk about every 3 to 5days on the phone. He has about four yearsnow. After a blackout period of nine yearswe are close friends again. It’s amazing!The ties that bound us together when wewere adolescents were everything related tothe disease—chaos, failure, injury, jails, institutions, near death experiences, etc. Today, we are bound by recovery, sponsorship,meetings, newcomers, service, activities .Ron K.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 9
The Defeating Our Addiction meeting ofN.A. is the oldest meeting still in existenceon the west coast of Florida. Danny G.started the meeting in July of 1981. Originally it was held at Danny’s house on Monroe Circle off of 4th Street in downtown St.Petersburg. The meeting only stayed atDanny’s house for two weeks. The groupfound a new location at St. Paul’s ReformedEpiscopal Church on 5th Avenue North.The meeting continued to be held there foralmost three years. The first year the groupstruggled due to low attendance, but themembers soon found a way to bolster attendance by picking up clients from local treatment centers. In 1984 the group moved onelast time to it’s current location at the Gulfport Presbyterian Church.The pot luck speaker meeting brings in a lotmore people, so if you don’t get there earlyyou might have trouble getting a seat. TheSaturday night meeting is a candle lightmeeting and usually only about 10 peopleshow up, but that’s the way they like it.Unless a person doesn’t want to, everyonegets a chance to share. If you don’t knowabout the “ask it basket” format, come to themeeting and see what it’s all about.D.O.A. has a strong base of home groupmembers for being such a small meeting.The number fluctuates, but usually totalsabout 10 people. The home group membersare active not only in the home group, but onthe Area level as well.The group purchases literature for addicts toThe meeting started out as an open discus- purchase at the meetings and also has a sponsion meeting and also flirted with a step sorship program for newcomers.meeting for a short time. The group continues to be an open discussion meeting, which Each month the group forwards it’s Seventhis held at 8pm on Thursday nights, except Tradition money to B.A.S.C.N.A. after exfor the last Thursday of the month when a penses are paid.pot luck dinner and speaker meeting is held.The dinner begins at 7pm and the meeting If you haven’t had a chance to check thisbegins at 8pm. The group also added a meeting out, and you might like a smallermeeting a few years ago which is held on meeting, than come out to Gulfport on ThursSaturday. The Saturday night meeting is day or Saturday nights.held at 10pm and is an “ask it basket” meetWe’ll be there ing.D.O.A.’s meetings are usually small which Defeating Our Addictionhelps provide an atmosphere of intimacy.The meetings on Thursday generally haveabout twenty or so people who attend.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 10
SLUGGO#51 “You and Your Jack” December 1993Copyright 1997 WSO Inc.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 11
Always HereAshly S03/18/031 yrBe A Part OFMary LouBrenda W.03/10/0303/14/921yr12 yrsBAYNAAngela F.Mike W.Ian W.03/03/0203/18/0204/03/032 yrs2 yrs1 yrCAYASue M.Curt03/22/9203/26/0212 yrs2 yrsD.O.A.Tina F.Lisa04/25/0205/02/022yrs2yrsGive It UpBruce R.Danny B.04/18/9904/02/915 yrs13 yrsH. O. W.Sandy R.Kevin Z.04/04/9904/01/03ICOFLouis P.Diane B.Just For TodayJulie C.Ernest H.KikiMel B.5yrs1 yr13 yrs7 yrs02/13/9803/22/8903/19/0304/01/006 yrs15 yrs1 yr4 yrsLife’s a BeachIn Memory of Kevin M.Matt D.04/05/03CindyMark S.03/05/89Debra02/07/98Faith C.02/06/01Jack C.02/02/03Mike P.02/09/0302/24/961 yr5 yrs15 yrs6 yrs3 yrs1 yr1 yrMeetingVern F.03/20/013 yrsNew FreedomShamir E.Anthony B.Patricia H.Kathy S.02/18/0303/16/0203/26/0203/27/021 yr2 yrs2 yrs2 yrsNew LifeAngela H.Linda S.Tonderic J.03/10/0102/06/9002/27/973 yrs14 yrs.8 yrsNever AloneDenise F.04/15/9410 yrsSurrenderColin Y.Jeannie H.Neal R.02/.28/9903/17/9004/11/905 yrs14 yrs14 yrsSYAMichelle H.Rick F.Kathy L.Mary J.Mark P.Wayne P.Craig M.Tom B.Jeff 04/03/0204/19/9204/27 012yrs2 yrs3 yrs2 yrs2 yrs19 yrs2 yrs12 yrs3 yrsWelcome HomeDan K.Dave L.Danny S.Bob M.Amy W.Leslie M.Pete 03/23/8716 yrs16 yrs1 yr16 yrs2 yrs8 yrs17 yrsJust for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 12
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Florida Region Help linesFor Hearing Impaired, please call:Florida Relay Service— 800-955-8770Bahamas Area: 242/325-6200—The IslandsBay Area: 727/547-0444—Tarpon Springs,Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Largo, Clearwater, St. Pete, Gulf Beaches, Indian Rocks Beach, OldsmarBig Bend Area: 850/599-2876—Tallahassee and Panhandle areaChain O’Lakes Area: 352/319-5617—Lake County,Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg, Mt. DoraDaytona Area: 904/831-1660 & 800/477-0731—Daytona Beach, Orange City, Deland, Deltona & New Smyrna BeachFirst Coast Area: 904/723-5683 & 800/576-4357—Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, Orange Park, Palatka, GreenCove SpringsForest Area: 352/368-6061—Ocala and surrounding areasHeartland Area: 863/609-6040 & 888/210-2118—Polk County, Lakeland, Hardee County, Highlands County,Bartow, Haines CityOrlando Area: 407/425-5157—Osceola, Orange, Seminole and parts of Lake County, KissimmeePalm Coast Area: 561/848-6262—West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Lantana, Riviera Beach, Royal PalmRecovery Coast Area: 727/842-2433 & 800-691-5551—Pasco County, New Port Richey, Hudson, Holiday,Zephyrhills, Dade CityRiver Coast Area: Citrus County: 352/621-6737,Hernando County: 352/754-2000—Brooksville, Spring Hill,Homossassa, Floral CitySpace Coast Area: 321/631-4357—Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Merritt IslandSun Coast Area: 941/957-7910—Bradenton, Sarasota & Manatee CountiesTampa Funcoast Area: 813/879-4357—Hillsborough County, including Tampa, Oldsmar, Lutz & BrandonTreasure Coast Area: 561/343-8373—Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Vero Beach, Ft. PierceUnCoast Area: 352/376-8008 Gainesville, Alachua, Lake City, Live Oak, O’Brien & GilchristWe would like to thank all of you who contributed to the newsletter. It was by your efforts that this publication wasmade possible. We look forward to your contributions in upcoming publications, and we accept articles, poetry,jokes and cartoons. We will try our best to let everyone know what the theme will be as soon as possible. There aremany ways to submit your writing. Some of them are listed below. You may also give a hardcopy of your work toone of the newsletter subcommittee members. E-mail to: lit@bascna.org,colforbin30@hotmail.com, rking1@tampabay.rr.com Or mail to:BASCNAJust for Today on the Bay NewsletterP.O. Box 703Largo, FL 34649ILS, Shawn G.AREA SERVICE AND SUB-COMMITTEE TIMESActivities meets every Thursday at 6:30pmat Borders Book Store at Tyrone Mall.Additional Needs meets the Saturday beforeSunday ASC at 4:00pm.Sunday morning before ASC:Hospitals & Institutions9:00 AMPublic Information10:30 AMHelpline11:00 AMLiterature11:30 AMPolicy BASCNA12:00 PMAdministrative12:45 PMArea Service Committee (ASC),meets the second Sunday of everymonthat 1:30 PM in rooms 10 & 20.All meetings are held atTerra Nova* 5501 28th St. N. St Petersburg FL*NA is not affiliated with any of thefacilities listed here.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 14
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Literature Subcommittee Note:The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributors, and not the opinionsof the Bay Area Literature Subcommittee, or Narcotics Anonymous as a whole. The Handbook for Narcotics Anonymous states that: “The 12 Traditions of NA should serve as the basic guidelines for editing your newsletter the language of NA recovery should be used.”All editorial decisions made by the Literature Subcommittee have been made with theseguidelines in mind. We welcome any feedback in accordance with the Second Tradition.Please indicate if you would like that feedback published.Just for Today On the Bay — February/March/April 2004 Page 16
The Ties That Bind Us Together The Bay Area Newsletter . shame and pain. We all have wants and needs, we feel remorse and bleed. . Basically, the first tie that binds us together is that we are addicts. We are not
