In Times of Illness - Narcotics Anonymous

ContentsPreface 5Background information on the booklet as it has evolvedthrough the years and an introduction to the new content.Informing Our Healthcare Providers 7This section offers ideas for communicating withhealthcare providers, informing themabout being in recovery, and being your ownadvocate during medical treatment.Medication in Recovery 10Suggestions are provided for the responsible use ofmedication and for being of service while taking medication.This section also addresses relapse and welcoming membersback to NA after misuse of medication.Mental Health Issues 19We address early-recovery mental health issues,situational mental health crises, and long-term mentalhealth disorders. A practical discussion of anonymityand unity in action is also presented here.Emergency Care 24The ways we can apply the principles foundin the steps when facing a major or minormedical emergency are discussed.Chronic Illness 26This section addresses common feelings and application ofspiritual principles when living with any chronic illness inrecovery, and being of service while taking mindandmood-altering medication for a chronic illness.

Chronic Pain 31We offer general suggestions for managing chronic pain andbeing in recovery. This section also discusses welcomingmembers back to NA following misuse of medication.Terminal Illness 36This section is a discussion of how to face a terminalillness diagnosis and prepare ourselves to handle thereality of our illness with all the spiritual strengthand hope our life in recovery can provide.Supporting Members with Illness 41Included here are some thoughts on how application of thespiritual principles we learn in the steps allows us to face lifeon life’s terms and be a source of support to those we love.Conclusion 45This is a synopsis of the booklet, along with a listof suggestions to follow when facing an illness,and related NA materialSuggestions to Follow with Illness and Injury 47Additional NA Material You May Wish to Read 48

practical suggestions for living a life in recovery and living with anillness, injury, or mental health disorder. We encourage membersto use the information and ideas offered to better understand andsupport one another, not to chastise one another.The information in this booklet is not intended to be asubstitute for medical advice, nor should it be used to makedecisions regarding healthcare treatment without consultingprofessionals. Our literature tells us that when we sought help forour addiction through medicine, religion, and psychiatry, thesemethods were not sufficient for us. However, there will be timeswhen we face an illness or injury that can be successfully treatedby professionals. Our goal is to responsibly seek treatment formedical conditions while we acknowledge that we are recoveringaddicts with the disease of addiction.This booklet is not designed to address every possible situationwe may encounter, and there are many other pieces of NAliterature that may help, too. Basic concepts we can learn throughworking the steps and core spiritual principles of our programare repeated often throughout this booklet. This is intentional.We designed it for an addict who is facing an illness or injuryand who may want to seek out the section that applies to theirsituation and gain valuable insight without having to read theentire piece. Health problems are personal, and each situationwill differ depending on the individual. What we offer here issimply the experience, strength, and hope of many memberswho have faced illness and injury during their recovery inNarcotics Anonymous.In Times of Illness6

Informing OurHealthcare Providers“…we accept responsibility for our problems and see thatwe’re equally responsible for our solutions.”BASIC TEXTWe are responsible for our recovery, but there maybe times when a team of healthcare providers willadminister our medical care. We have a right andresponsibility to participate as an equal partner byinforming our healthcare providers of our needs. Itis vital to carefully consider all options presentedto us. Professionals will have difficulty providing uswith adequate care unless we are honest with them.We apply basic safeguards that will protect ourrecovery when we are seeing a medical professional;it is usually in our best interest to inform them thatwe are recovering addicts.Explain that abstinence from mind- ormood-altering medication is our goalin recovery.Consider and discuss alternative treatmentsand smaller doses when a prescription formind-changing or mood-altering medicationis offered.Take our sponsor or a trusted NA friend withus when we are going to the doctor.In the event that we encounter medical professionalswho do not understand the disease of addiction,we take the opportunity to share with them aboutIn Times of Illness7

our recovery. This will helpthem provide us with safe andeffective medical treatment.Some medical professionalsmay misunderstand us andattempt to treat our addiction.Or, they may be overly cautiousand reluctant to prescribemedication when they learn that we are addicts.We can explain that we have the NA program tohelp with our addiction, and we need their helpwith treatment of our medical condition. We alsoneed to remember that it is okay to ask the doctorquestions. It is important to be our own advocate.If we feel like we don’t have enough information,or that the doctor does not seem to be respectful ofour situation, we can seek another medical opinion.“My experience with dentists is no different from other doctorswho treat pain. As a result of neglecting my teeth, I have hadto make numerous visits to the dentist for procedures thatcaused intense pain. My dentist, on several occasions, offeredme pain medication to take at home which I didn’t fi ndnecessary. Instead, I accepted the practical experience of othermembers and found relief with ice packs, rides to and fromappointments, and nonprescription medication.”In Times of IllnessOur experience shows that we may want to considertaking another person with us when meeting witha doctor. Having another person listen while thedoctor describes proposed procedures or treatmentscan offer us support and reassurance. If necessary,their presence can be explained to the doctor by8

saying that the support of others is an integral partof our program of recovery. Medical issues oftenproduce a reaction of anxiety. The person whoaccompanies us can hear the details with an openmind, while our own minds may be clouded withfear, anger, or self-pity. We select this person basedon the fact that they are our sponsor or a trusted NAfriend, and it is important to remain open-mindedto the suggestions that they may offer.“A woman I sponsor was scheduled to have major surgery. Shefelt shame and was afraid that the medical personnel wouldtreat her differently if she told them she was an addict. Ratherthan lose face, she was willing to risk her recovery. She sharedthose feelings with me. I helped her to see that it was importantto walk through the fear and inform the medical personnelof her addiction. She chose to be honest with her doctor. As aresult, her recovery was strengthened rather than jeopardized.”Ideally, working closely with healthcare professionalsand a sponsor can help us keep our illness andtreatment in perspective. Reaching out and sharinghonestly with those we trust and respect is vital. Wemay want to seek out the experience of NA friendswho have faced similar situations in their recovery.Maintaining rigorous honesty and remaining open tothe suggestions of other addicts allows us to avoidself-deception or secrecy. Our experience shows thatwe are especially vulnerable to our addiction whenwe are dealing with illness and injury. We considerasking for a limited supply of medication and wetalk to our sponsor before filling a prescription formind- or mood-altering medication. Our sponsor andIn Times of Illness9

trusted NA friends can help us make decisions basedin recovery principles. They remind us that takingmedication as prescribed for an illness is not thesame as using. It is essential to maintain rigoroushonesty and responsibility with our sponsor andallow our medical team, our NA support network,and our Higher Power to guide us.Medication in Recovery“For all the diversity of individual opinion among ourmembers, Nar cotics Anonymous itself is united in havingno opinion on any issues apart from its own program. As afellowship, we agree to take posi tions only on those ideas thathave drawn us together, our principles of recovery, not on themany personal opinions that might divide us.”IT WORKS: HOW AND WHYIn Times of IllnessNarcotics Anonymous as a whole has no opinionon outside issues, and this includes health issues.We are concerned with recovery from the diseaseof addiction. Our collective experience shows thatrigorous application of the program is our bestdefense against relapse. However, we may face asituation in our recovery where we have to makechoices about medication. The use of medicationcan be controversial in our fellowship. Whentreatment of an illness requires medication, theconcept of abstinence can be confusing. It’s helpfulto remember the importance of making a consciousdecision not to medicate ourselves or treat ourown illnesses.10

“I was one person who believed that, if you used anythingfor any reason, it was considered a relapse. Until I was facedwith this situation in my own recovery, it didn’t dawn on methat I might have to take medication. I can remember goingto meetings and having people ask me if I’d relapsed, andtelling me to pick up a white chip. This really hurt and scaredme. I felt rejected and very alone because no one seemed tounderstand that I needed strength and hope.”The Basic Text recommends consulting professionalsconcerning our medical problems. We also workclosely with our sponsor and other experiencedNA members we trust. Many members todayhave experience with illness and medication inrecovery. We can look to their example and listento their experience to help us face our fears aboutmedication. We remember that we are especiallyvulnerable to our old ways of thinking when we arein pain. Prayer, meditation, and sharing can helpus keep our minds off our discomfort. Addicts areoften surprised to discover how much pain we cantolerate without medication. Reaching out andsharing honestly with those we trust can help uskeep our priorities in order. Our goal is to maintainour recovery.It’s helpful to remember theimportance of making a consciousdecision not to medicate ourselvesor treat our own illnesses.In Times of Illness11

Cleantime is an issue for eachof us to resolve individuallywith our sponsor and ourHigher Power. The ultimateresponsibility for makingmedical decisions rests witheach member. However, theguidance and support ofmembers who have faced similar situations is oftenavailable if we reach out. In addition to consultingmedical professionals, we may use other members’experience and information to help us makeknowledgeable decisions. We can practice the TwelveSteps, maintain frequent contact with our sponsor,write about our feelings and motives, and sharewith our NA friends. With the support of others inNarcotics Anonymous, we find the strength we needto make healthy choices for our own recovery.“When I came to NA, all I wanted to do was stop usingdrugs; NA showed me how. My recovery in NA helpedprepare me to face an illness. I discussed my illness withinformed medical professionals and obtained second andthird opinions. Every medical treatment involved mind- andmood-altering medication. Prior to taking pain medication, Idiscussed all options with my sponsor. During that period oftime I kept my NA friends close and my sponsor informed.”In Times of IllnessWe have found that it is important for addicts tohave at least one person with whom they can becompletely honest. This person can be a sponsor,recovering family member, or trusted NA friend. Theimportant thing is that someone who has specific12

knowledge of the disease of addiction can help us toavoid isolation and secrecy. Members facing illnessand injury may face intense feelings of loneliness,despair, and self-pity. We learn that pain shared ispain lessened in NA, and encourage others to reachout to us. By listening to the experience, strength,and hope in meetings we are able to experiencecollective empathy. We fulfill our primary purposeby offering our support to other addicts with anattitude of care, love, and concern.“Anyone who reaches out for help is entitled to ourcompassion, our attention, and our unconditional acceptance.Any addict, regardless of clean time, should be able to pourout his or her pain in an atmosphere free of judgment.”IT WORKS: HOW AND WHYRegardless of how vigilant we are with our mentaland spiritual program of recovery, we may reactto medication like we did when using drugs.The power of the disease of addiction cannot beunderestimated. The Basic Text warns us that ourdisease is cunning, and tells us that honesty isthe solution. When we are in pain, we are highlysusceptible to self-deception, fear, denial, andanger. It doesn’t matter what the medication is,or whether it was our drug of choice. Our thinkingand actions may be affected by any mind- andmood-altering medications. During these times, webenefit greatly from maintaining a support network.These NA friends will help us truthfully inventoryourselves and monitor our use of any medication.We need to remain open-minded when our sponsorIn Times of Illness13

and other trusted NA friends offer suggestions basedon their experience. Communicating honestly withour sponsor, medical care providers, and loved onesis vital to our recovery. We strive for the willingnessto avoid our self-will and follow the suggestions ofothers who have our best interests at heart.Communicating honestly with oursponsor, medical care providers, andloved ones is vital to our recovery.In Times of IllnessAn unfortunate reality in our fellowship is that somemembers abuse their prescribed medication andrelapse. Any mind- and mood-altering medicationcan be dangerous for addicts. Members who relapseon prescribed medication may be reluctant to returnto meetings for fear of being judged. Knowing thattheir lives are at stake, we treat these addicts withcompassion. Encouraging these members to sharehonestly and admit when they have abused theirmedication can remind other addicts to be vigilantin protecting their own recovery. Our experienceshows that many NA members have been successfulin taking medication as prescribed and maintainingtheir recovery. When facing a situation where wemay be prescribed medication, we should seek outthe experience of these members. Some commonelements that these members share are regularmeeting attendance, close contact with theirsponsor and NA support network, and willingness14

to follow suggestions from those who have facedsimilar situations successfully.When we are confronted with a medical conditionwhere we may have to take medication, our initialfear may be of taking too much, but we also may goto the other extreme. The urge to allow ourselvesto suffer unnecessarily rather than take medicationmay be great. We resist this urge to stubbornlyinsist that we know better than the doctor, refuseall medications, or neglect problems that requiremedical attention. When a professional tells us thatpain is not conducive to healing, we should listen.Likewise, ignoring health problems because of fearor pride may, in fact, make matters worse for us.Once again, we remind ourselves of the importanceof making a conscious decision not to medicateourselves or treat our own illnesses.“When I was about a year and a half clean, I suffered myfi rst bout of a recurrent illness. My sponsor told me not tobe a martyr and to go to my doctor, who knows that I ama recovering addict. I didn’t listen, and as a result I washospitalized for fi ve days, in traction and on strong medication.If I had followed my sponsor’s suggestion, I would have been ona milder medication for a much shorter period of time.”Our experience has shown that no drugs are riskfreefor us. Any medication may unleash the cravingand the compulsion that haunted us while we wereusing. Nonprescription drugs can be as dangerousas those prescribed by a physician. Even if we havenot seen the doctor, we can practice vigilanceand responsibility for our recovery by checkingIn Times of Illness15

our motives and seeking the suggestions of oursponsor before we take anything. It is importantthat we consider their use as carefully as the useof any other medication. Any drug, prescription ornonprescription, has the potential to be abused.Sometimes, our members have found, alternativemethods of treatment can be used. This is anotherway in which we can exercise responsibility forour recovery, even during illness. Many of thesemethods require little or no medication or the useof medication that doesn’t alter our moods or ourthinking. Some NA members even share that theyhave felt spiritually strengthened by exploring andutilizing these alternatives. We seek solutions in ourrecovery when we are faced with an illness or injuryby asking questions and doing research. Askingmembers what worked for them can be a powerfulway to utilize the support of the fellowship. Reachingout for experience and new ideas strengthens ourrecovery and gives us a renewed appreciation for theNA program.In Times of Illness“Today, I live with chronic pain. It is not always debilitating,but pain is almost always present. I do my best to respect myphysical limitations. I refrain from activities that result in pain,and have found new activities that are relatively pain-free. Ipractice surrendering to my physical limitations so I do notaggravate my condition and create more pain. Fortunately,I have found alternatives that usually provide me the reliefthat I need to get through my day. All of these have had somepositive effect. Alternative methods reduce my pain so that Idon’t need to try to manage with mood-altering medication.”16

By living the Narcotics Anonymous program, we finda measure of stability in our lives. We apply theprinciples of the program to help us find spiritualwell-being when we are ill. Sharing openly with ourdoctor and our sponsor, relying on a Higher Power,and practicing the Twelve Steps are important tools.These can help each member find a sense of balancethat is comfortable and appropriate. Life in recoverycan be complicated by illness and the possibilitythat we may need to take prescribed medication. Westrive to stay vigilant in applying the principles wehave learned in NA. When we do this, our personalgoals and recovery remain intact.Regardless of how we work our mental andspiritual program of recovery, we may reactto medication like we did when using drugs.It’s helpful to remember the importance ofmaking a conscious decision not to medicateourselves or treat our own illnesses.A recovery support network is vital. Oursponsor, medical care providers, and NAfriends can help us inventory ourselves andmonitor our use of any medication.Cleantime is an issue for each of us toresolve individually with our sponsor andour Higher Power.“Everything that occurs in the course of NA service mustbe motivated by the desire to more successfully carry themessage of recovery to the addict who still suffers.”BASIC TEXTIn Times of Illness17

The primary purpose of our groups is to carry themessage of recovery. While being of service to ourfellowship, there may be times when we begin tofeel that taking mind-changing and mood-alteringmedication has affected our ability to serveeffectively. In some cases, members may share withus that they think our behavior and attitude havebeen impaired by our illness and treatment. Theymay tell us we are not the same person. Even thoughour temptation may be to rebel against the opinionsof our fellow trusted servants, we remember thatthey are our eyes and ears. We strive to maintainan attitude of humility and open-mindedness. Webring their concerns to our sponsor and supportiveNA friends, and seek a solution.In Times of IllnessEffective leadership is highly valuedin NA, and being of service is aprincipled action. We may want toinventory our decisions and motiveswith service. We talk to our sponsorand NA friends; they can help usavoid self-deception. Being honestwith ourselves about our strengthsand weaknesses is an important partof any inventory. Some members have found thatthey were fully capable of fulfilling their servicecommitments while taking medication to treat anillness or injury, while others have made the choiceto step down. This is a deeply personal decision.We will want to consider what is best for both thefellowship and ourselves.18

If we decide to resign from a trusted servant positiondue to the effects of medication, this can beconsidered an action based in integrity, courage, andhumility. Informing fellow members that we needto step down for a period of time for health reasonsillustrates recovery principles in action. This can beviewed as the fulfillment of a personal commitmentto our health, rather than a failure. We can remindourselves that we live this way of life just for today,and the decisions we make are not forever.We come to accept today’s health issues, and we canseek other ways to be of service. We may consider agroup-level commitment, or we may be a committeemember rather than committee chair. We remainopen-minded, willing, and honest, seeking out theexperience of other members to learn how theywere able to serve while living with health issuesand medication. Being of service to a fellowshipthat saved our lives is an act of love, and is notconditional on a specific position or title.Mental Health Issues“We recommend turning our legal problems over to lawyersand our fi nancial or medical problems to professionals. Part oflearning how to live successfully is learning when we need help.”BASIC TEXTOne of the beautiful things about NA is thataddicts from all walks of life can find recovery inour program. Our meetings welcome anyone whoIn Times of Illness19

has the desire to experience the NA program ofrecovery. Some members recover in NA with mentalillness that requires medication. Just as we wouldn’tsuggest that an insulin-dependent diabetic addictstop taking their insulin, we don’t tell mentally illaddicts to stop taking their prescribed medication.We leave medical issues up to doctors. As NAmembers, our primary purpose is to carry themessage of recovery to the addict who still suffers,not to give medical advice. Responsibility rests withthe member to be honest about their condition withinformed healthcare professionals, and to evaluatetheir treatment and medication options.“Over the years I have learned that in order to remain clean,I have to be pro active in dealing with my mental illness; andin order to remain men tally stable, I have to be proactive inmy recovery. For me, the disease of ad diction and my mentaldisorder must be dealt with simul taneously. Al though thesteps are my best defense against relapse, no amount of stepwork, prayer, meeting attendance, or calling my spon sor willchange the fact that I have mental illness. Just because I’mclean does not mean that I no longer have mental healthissues. The very disorder that affected me when I was usingstill affects me today. Ultimately, the decision to take medicationor not to take medication is a deeply personal one.”In Times of IllnessAn aspect of addiction is the compulsive misuse andabuse of drugs, often at the expense of our physicaland mental health. In recovery, we learn to beresponsible for ourselves. For some addicts, this maymean seeking mental health treatment and takingmedication as prescribed. Our experience shows20

We should share honestlywith our doctor and sponsor,examine our motives,and decide what courseof action is right for us.that there are times when our members have beenprescribed mental health medication for symptomsresulting from our active addiction. Members in thissituation often find that after a period of time inrecovery they are able to stop taking this medicationunder the supervision of their doctor. This is notthe case for everyone. Our membership also includesaddicts who have lifelong mental health issues. Weshould share honestly with our doctor and sponsor,examine our motives, and decide what course ofaction is right for us. In NA we have freedom tomake decisions about our life and recovery in a safeenvironment, free of judgment. It is our personalresponsibility to seek professional help when weneed it. A mental health professional can assistus in understanding our illness and explain ourtreatment options.“All addicted persons are welcome and equal in obtaining therelief that they are seeking from their addiction; every addictcan recover in this program on an equal basis.”BASIC TEXTIn Times of Illness21

NA promises us freedom from active addiction, butthat is our only promise. We have found collectivelythat medicine, religion, and psychiatry alone arenot sufficient to treat the disease of addiction.This may mean that medicine and psychiatry aresometimes necessary to treat mental illness incombination with our program of recovery in NA.Some addicts have found that professional help fora short period of time has allowed them to deal witha crisis outside the scope of their recovery in NA.Often these members emerge with a new perspectiveon life. Others may face situations where long-termmedication and therapy are warranted. We are freeto seek outside professional help and continue inour program of recovery in NA.In Times of IllnessThe newcomer is the mostimportant person at anymeeting. As a member ofthe group, we try to bemindful of the messagewe carry. We have foundthat a meeting may notbe the ideal place to share personal details about ourdiagnosis and treatment. Our experience shows usthat sharing these details one-on-one with a trustedNA friend or sponsor, instead of in a meeting, canhelp to maintain an atmosphere of recovery. There isno shame in getting the help we need. NA meetingscan provide a safe place for us to share our feelingsin the company of other recovering addicts. Sharingrecovery in NA, we open ourselves up to experiencethe collective compassion of the group. Our NAfriends will help us keep our lives in perspective,22

and remind us how to apply the spiritual principlesof this program to all areas of our lives. With thefreedom to share honestly in meetings comesthe responsibility to seek a solution. In NA, ouridentification as addicts is what we have in common.This allows us to focus on our similarities instead ofour differences. It is possible to find freedom fromactive addiction in NA and to be taking medicationprescribed by an informed healthcare professionalfor a mental illness.With the use of any medication, we must behonest with ourselves, our healthcare team,and our sponsor about our feelings andmotives.In NA the only requirement for membershipis a desire to stop using. As members wehave no reason to judge one another.Meetings are a powerful way of carrying our messageof recovery to the addict who still suffers. Newmembers come to NA with a variety of life problems,and are sometimes disruptive in meetings beforethey learn what is appropriate in that atmosphere.Our first reaction may be apprehension, but it isimportant that we welcome every addict seekingrecovery. We remember the care and concern thathelped us find a sense of belonging in NA. Ourcollective attitude should be one of loving acceptancetoward all addicts, regardless of any other problemsthey may experience. Whether we are the newcomeror have years clean in NA, anonymity means that weall have an equal opportunity to recover.In Times of Illness23

Emergency Care“The steps are our solution. They are our survival kit. Theyare our defense against addiction which is a deadly disease.Our steps are the principles that make our recovery possible.”BASIC TEXTRecovery does not exempt us from accidents andinjuries. Sometimes, emergency room treatmentbecomes necessary. When this happens, we areoften asked to make quick decisions. The foundationwe have in recovery can be a crucial factor in ourdecision-making process. It is important to behonest with our medical providers. If we are ableto communicate, we let the professionals treatingus know that we are recovering addicts. Thismay influence the choices they make about ourmedication. We accept that we are not in controlof the situation and trust the professionals whoare treating us. It is helpful to remember that theprinciples of recovery apply to every area of our life,even in a crisis.“Even though I thought I was alone, I wasn’t—becauseI prayed. I then called my sponsor, who met me at theemergency room. Once there, I was examined and offeredmedication. I explained my addiction to the doctor and asked ifnot taking the medication would be life-threatening. With mysponsor’s support, I was able to make an in formed decision.”In Times of Illness24

We may find that an acute event is not lifethreatening.When we break a bone, experience a highfever, or cut ourselves, we may require emergencycare. We are usually given an opportunity to reachout to our sponsor and NA friends before seekingany medical treatment. Relying on others can helpalleviate the fear and irrational thinking that wemay experience during a medical emergency. We candiscuss the treatment options presented to us andreceive the love and guidance from our NA supportnetwork. However, in some circumstances, we maybe involved in an accident or traumatic injury andbe forced to act very quickly. In these situations,we may not have immediate access to any of ourNA friends or sponsor. During these times we relyon our Higher Power for guidance and maintain ourfaith. In NA, we are never alone.When we are faced with a medical emergency, we cantap into the spiritual connection we have developedwith a Higher Power through the steps. The BasicText tells us that the power that brought us to theprogram is still with us and will continue to guideus if we allow it. The presence of people we trustand faith in a Higher Power are both valuable tools.The strength we gain from this support can help usIn Times of Illness25

make decisions that will enhance our recovery. Evenin an emergency, we can still apply our programof recovery.The foundation we have in recovery can bean asset during an acute event.Relying on others alleviates the fear andirrational thinking that come with isolation.The spiritual connection we have developedwith a Higher Power helps guide ourdecisions and provides a source of strength.Chronic Illness“By working the steps, we come to accept a HigherPower’s will. Acceptance leads to recovery. We lose ourfear of the unknown. We are set free.”BASIC TEXTIn Times of IllnessChronic illness is a reality for many NA members. Achronic illness is a persistent, often life-threatening,and incurable condition. Our experience is thatchronic illnesses may have periods of remissionand recurrence. We can come into recovery withknowledge of an illness, or we may discover after weget to NA that we have a chronic medical condition.Regardless of our particular circumstances, we applythe spiritual principles of our program to living withour chronic illness. Our goal is to accept our illnessand live life in recovery. We embrace surrender,humility, faith, and willingness. Our attitude willeither hurt or help us; we remind ourselves that26

Through ongoing surrender,we can find freedom and the abilityto accept our illness.we have no control over life’s challenges. In fact,our survival and recovery depend on our mental,emotional, and spiritual well-being.There are many chronic illnesses that our memberslive with that have treatments available. Ourexperience shows that sometimes the treatmentscan present their own set of challenges. NA doesn’tadvise members on medical care, but we can helpeach other with the emotions we experience as aresult of our illness and treatment. Some days wemay feel hopeless, helpless, and angry. Other dayswill seem less painful and more positive as welearn to continually surrender. Through ongoingsurrender, we can find freedom and the ability toaccept our illness. We give ourselves permission tofeel exactly as we do, and to look for ways to cope,not escape. We can see our illness as a curse, or wecan choose to view it as a gift that can bring uscloser to our Higher Power and loved ones. We makea conscious decision to walk through our lives in amanner that will strengthen our commitment to ourhealth and recovery.“Separation from the atmosphere of recovery and from thespirit of service to others slows our spiritual growth.”BASIC TEXTIn Times of Illness27

A renewal of our commitment to maintain recoveryin Narcotics Anonymous is crucial when we livewith a chronic illness. By renewing our commitmentto turn our will and our lives over to our HigherPower’s care, we open a channel that allows thisPower to work in our lives. Reaching out to otherswho are willing to listen to us share about ourchronic illness will help us to realize that we are notalone. Accepting support from others can help us toavoid self-centeredness and self-obsession. We workto get outside ourselves and maintain a connectionto others in recovery. When we listen with an openmind to what other addicts face in their lives, wemay feel less like a victim and actually find somegratitude for our own problems. It is vital to ourrecovery that we share honestly about our feelingsin meetings. Newcomers as well as our NA friendsbenefit from listening to us share about life issuesand spiritual solutions.In Times of IllnessOur illness provides us an opportunity to bean example of recovery principles in action.Understandably, some of our fellow addicts may befrightened of chronic illness. When we encounterfear or misunderstanding from other members, wemay choose to share about our illness with themand acknowledge their feelings of fear. Letting themknow that we understand their discomfort mayhelp put them at ease around us. We do our best toaccept their feelings and welcome any support theyare able to offer. It may help us to remember thatthere are other members whom we can count onfor warmth and emotional availability. These fellowaddicts offer unconditional love, care, and support.28

“My gratitude for a few addicts and my sponsor leaves me withoutwords to convey my appreciation. They didn’t allow me to isolateor wallow in self-pity. Calling and stopping by daily, taking me tomeetings, fi xing up their cars with pillows and blankets so I couldride comfortably are a few acts of their kindness.”One addict helping another is an active demonstrationof empathy. By allowing ourselves to experience thetherapeutic value of sharing our recovery with otheraddicts, we are able to concentrate on living. We donot allow the illness itself to become our focal point.There may be times when we are unable to attendmeetings regularly or continue with our serviceand sponsorship commitments. It is importantto let our NA friends know that we will not beattending meetings for a period of time and thatwe are resigning from our service commitments. Weexperience humility on a deep level when we admitto ourselves and those around us that our illnessand treatment have impaired our ability to serve.When we make a decision to step down from ourservice commitments, we are demonstrating recoveryprinciples. Being honest with our sponsor andsponsees by asking for their support can strengthenthose relationships. Keeping in contact with our NAfriends when we are unable to be physically presentfor a period of time is vital. We may ask that theybring a meeting to us. During the time when we areconvalescing, we may find that the phone is how westay connected to NA. We strive to get outside ofourselves and maintain regular communication withour NA support system.In Times of Illness29

After a period of illness or treatment, it is importantthat we return to meetings as soon as we are able.The addicts who have supported us will be happy tosee us, and the newcomer can benefit from hearing usshare about walking through adversity and stayingclean. Upon our return to meetings and servicecommitments, we may find that the landscape ofour recovery has changed. Relationships changenaturally over time, and our illness may make thesechanges more pronounced. Some friendships mightfade; others will be stronger. Perhaps we will findthat those whom we have supported in the past arenow there to help us. We accept these changes asa part of the natural ebb and flow of life. We aregrateful that NA is always there for us.By applying spiritual principles to livingwith a chronic illness, we focus on living.We don’t allow our chronic illness to becomethe focal point of our lives.We maintain our commitment to recoveryin Narcotics Anonymous by maintainingvigilant contact with our Higher Power, oursponsor, and our NA friends.One addict helping another is an activedemonstration of empathy. When weparticipate in our recovery by sharinghonestly and listening with an open mind inmeetings, we can avoid feeling like a victimand find gratitude for our lives.In Times of Illness30

Chronic Pain“The Program of Narcotics Anonymous provides an opportunityfor us to ease the pain of living through spiritual principles.”BASIC TEXTChronic physical pain is a medical condition thatmany of us live with in our recovery. The pain maybe a result of illness or injury, but the source is notas important as the solutions we find. We rememberthat the spiritual principles that improve our qualityof life in good health are the same as those we canuse when living with chronic pain. We surrenderto the pain, accept our illness, and reach out forhelp. We have learned that an addict alone is inbad company. Isolation gives our disease a chanceto flourish. We can counteract the self-deception ofour addiction by sharing honestly about our feelingsin meetings, as well as with our sponsor and trustedNA friends. This open communication allows us toexperience one of the most powerful tools that thisprogram offers: the therapeutic value of one addicthelping another.“This is what surrender is: a heartfelt belief in our ownfallibility as human beings and an equally heartfeltdecision to rely on a Power greater than our own.”IT WORKS: HOW AND WHYWe maintain our recovery by consistently practicinga spiritual program in all areas of our life. Whenwe are receiving medical treatment for chronic pain,it is important for us to apply spiritual principles.In Times of Illness31

We commit to work closelywith our sponsor and medicalprofessionals and to drawstrength from our Higher Power.Sharing honestly with our medical care providersthe fact that we are addicts in recovery is helpful.We ask that this be taken into consideration whenmedications are prescribed. Being honest withour NA friends about our pain and fears is equallyimportant. We strive to remain open-minded andask our doctors about alternative treatments forpain. Seeking out the experience of other addicts inrecovery who have faced similar situations is oftenbeneficial. These members have the opportunity toshare with us what worked for them with chronicpain while maintaining their recovery. Being openmindedto experience from those we trust andrespect will help us in our decision making. Weremain willing to explore all treatment optionsavailable to us. We commit to work closely withour sponsor and medical professionals and to drawstrength from our Higher Power.In Times of Illness“With a few years clean I was diagnosed with a diseasethat required a few surgeries and resulted in chronic pain. Ihave learned many things from this process, but none moreimportant than the lesson that it is far easier to fi nd ways tomanage my pain than it is for me to manage medication.”32

Living with chronic pain gives us an opportunityto experience a new level of responsibility for ourpersonal recovery. We may need to question ourpain and our motives using an inventory in thesame way we inventoried our character during ourFourth Step. Our sponsor can help with this. We askourselves questions about the pain we are feelingand answer them as honestly as we can in orderto assess whether we need medication. Addicts areespecially vulnerable to our old ways of thinkingwhen we are in pain. Sharing honestly with oursponsor or trusted NA friends will help us keep ourpain in perspective. In this situation, we are oftensurprised to discover how much discomfort we cantolerate without medication. If we take prescribedpain medication, we should remember that ourbodies and minds may react. Our experience showsthat we may need to ask for extra help when thetime comes to stop taking pain medication, in casewe experience withdrawal symptoms. With courage,we reach out and accept the love and support of oursponsor and NA friends.“We do not diagnose anyone’s condition or trackthe progress of our patients—in fact we have no patients,only members. Our groups do not provide professionaltherapeutic, medical, legal, or psychiatric services.We are simply a fellowship of recovering addicts whomeet regularly to help each other stay clean.”IT WORKS: HOW AND WHYIn Times of Illness33

The disease of addiction is progressive, incurable,and fatal. We are vulnerable to our disease evenafter long periods of abstinence. With this inmind, many members have found it helpful to askfor assistance from their NA friends and sponsorin monitoring any prescribed mind-changing andmood-altering medication. Living with chronic painwears us down physically and mentally. We may findourselves feeling powerless, hopeless, and weak.Our experience shows that denial, justification,self-deception, and rationalization will be presentwhen we face illnesses or injuries that requirepain medication. We will want to work closelywith medical professionals and our sponsor duringthe treatment of pain. Sometimes, with sustainedchronic pain in recovery, healthcare providers willprescribe certain medications for pain that arealso used as drug replacement medications. It isimportant to remind ourselves that we are takingthis medication as prescribed for physical pain. Inthis medical situation, these medications are notbeing taken to treat addiction.In Times of IllnessOnce again, we find thatinformation about ourdiagnosis and treatmentis very personal. Sharingthese details one-on-onewith a trusted NA friendor sponsor, instead ofin a meeting, can helpus remain accountablewhile still maintaining anatmosphere of recovery.34

We remember that the primary purpose of ourgroups is to carry the message to the addict who stillsuffers. There may be times during our experiencewith chronic pain when we are the addict suffering.During such times, we may find it beneficial to listento the experience of others, allowing them to carrythe message of recovery to us.“Today, I have to get honest with myself and turn tomy Higher Power for help. Each time pain medication isprescribed for me, I explore my motives for taking it. Am Itaking medication to get high? Am I imagining or magnifyingthis pain? Is this medication necessary right now? If it isnecessary, a network of safeguards can be set up among mysponsor, recovering friends, family, and medical personnel.”Our experience shows that many NA members havebeen successful in taking medication as prescribedfor chronic pain and keeping their recovery intact.Some of the actions that these members have incommon are regular meeting attendance, closecontact with their sponsor and NA support network,and having another addict who knows all the detailsof their medical treatment. Unfortunately, many ofus also have experience with a member who abusedtheir pain medication and relapsed. The reality isthat treatment of chronic pain with medicationcan be very dangerous for addicts. Members whorelapse from pain medication may harbor feelingsof shame, guilt, and remorse. We can offer theseaddicts compassion and understanding. Providingmeetings with a caring, loving, and nonjudgmentalatmosphere where members can honestly admitIn Times of Illness35

when they have abused their medication is vital totheir recovery. In doing this, we are carrying themessage of hope to the addict who still suffers.We can inventory our pain and ourmotives with our sponsor; this offers us anopportunity to be personally responsibleand helps us to maintain our recovery whileliving with chronic pain.We should be aware that we may experiencewithdrawal symptoms when we stop takingprescribed pain medication; we reach outand accept the support of our NA friendsand sponsor.We can remember that there is no safe use ofdrugs for an addict. Setting up a network ofsafeguards to protect us from ourselves maybe helpful.Terminal Illness“We grasp the limitless strength provided for us through our dailyprayer and surrender, as long as we keep faith and renew it.”BASIC TEXTIn Times of IllnessMembers of our fellowship may face a terminal illnessdiagnosis at some point in their recovery. Mostlikely, those who receive this information will havefeelings of fear, despair, and anger. We try not to letour feelings of doubt and hopelessness eclipse ourhard-earned faith in a Higher Power. Our literaturesays that when we lose focus on the here and now,36

our problems become magnified unreasonably. Withthis in mind, we strive to live just for today. We learnin recovery that when we share about our pain, wegain some relief. We reach out to our sponsor andNA friends who love and support us unconditionally.We find meetings that offer a safe place for us toshare our feelings. When we share with others, webreak through the isolation of our disease. We gathercourage from the love and empathy of those who carefor us. Our experience shows that we can maintainour recovery while living with a terminal disease.“When I fi rst heard my diagnosis, I ran through a rangeof emotions. ‘It’s not fair; I already have the disease ofaddiction. How much should one person have to deal with?’During this time I became angry with my Higher Power,fearing I had gotten clean only to die. At the same time I feltguilty—like I had no right to feel all those things. I felt as if I… should have been grateful that it wasn’t worse.”Our program of recovery depends on dailymaintenance. Even with a vigilant recovery program,powerlessness can be a stumbling block for us. Weremind ourselves how recovery has taught us to livejust for today and leave the results up to our HigherPower. When we face situations beyond our control,we are especially vulnerable to the disease ofaddiction. Our self-destructive defects may surfaceand we will want to apply spiritual principles. TheBasic Text reminds us that self-pity is one of themost destructive defects, robbing us of all positiveenergy. We strive to live just for today. The peoplewe surround ourselves with can encourage ourIn Times of Illness37

surrender and help us break through pain andresentment. We may choose to distance ourselvesfrom those who pity us and thrive on the crisis,rather than the solution. Instead, we seek out thecompany of other recovering addicts who bring outthe best in us, encourage us to move forward, andenhance our spiritual program and our life.We remind ourselves that we are living with aterminal illness. Facing the reality of our lives whenwe are hurting is a service we do for ourselves.We can accept the love of our support network inthe here and now, without fear of tomorrow. Ourexperience shows that continuing our participationin daily recovery through meetings and phoneconversations helps us feel connected. We rememberthe important principle we learn in NA of living justfor today. By placing the emphasis on life, we canappreciate the day, not rob ourselves of the preciouspresent, and remain free from worry about what thefuture may hold.“At twenty-two years clean, I was diagnosed with terminalillness. Amazingly, through working the program of NA,I instinctively knew what to do—call my sponsor, call mybest friends, and talk to other addicts about having to takemedications. I received so much help and reassurance fromother addicts that I knew my recovery was fi rst.”In Times of IllnessOur commitment to our program of recovery inNarcotics Anonymous offers serenity during difficulttimes. We gain courage from the application of thespiritual principles of the program. We come tounderstand the powerlessness and surrender of our38

steps, and reaching out. When we honestly acceptand try to be ourselves, we are able to gain freedomfrom fear and self-pity. We remind ourselves thatwe are perfectly imperfect human beings, doing ourbest to live with terminal illness.In quiet moments of meditation, we may alsofind courage and answers we are seeking withinourselves. We can use this time to make decisionsand plan for times when we may be unable to makeour wishes known. Some members may choose tovisit their regular meetings to say good-bye tothe group. Others will find it comforting to invitetheir core group of NA friends to bring a meeting totheir home or hospital room. The company of otheraddicts who know us well is a source of comfort andstrength. We have found that a strong foundationin recovery prepares us to face all phases of our lifewith a measure of dignity and grace.In Times of IllnessWe are living with a terminal illness inrecovery. We accept the love of our NAfriends in the here and now, without fearof tomorrow.Prayer and meditation are powerful tools.We prepare ourselves to handle the realityof our illness with all the spiritual strengthand hope our recovery can provide.We avoid the tendency to judge ourselvesharshly and don’t allow ourselves to beisolated by feelings of fear and inadequacy.Judgment is not therapeutic, but empathy is.40

Supporting Memberswith Illness“Love can be the fl ow of life energy from one personto another. By caring, sharing, and praying for others,we become a part of them. Through empathy, weallow addicts to become a part of us.”BASIC TEXTIn recovery, we develop intimate and meaningfulrelationships. When we are close to someone withan illness, whether they are a friend, a partner, ora sponsor, we may find ourselves facing intensefeelings. We may feel anger, helplessness, fear, guilt,and sadness. All of these are to be expected whensomeone we care about is ill. The first reaction tonews of an illness or trauma may be to get caughtup in our self-centeredness and other characterdefects. We remember that we have the ability toput spiritual principles into action today. We makethe choice to be a positive force in the lives ofthe people around us. The process of working thesteps has given us the ability to love and acceptwho we are, and become able to truly love others.Taking care of ourselves and being committed to ourown recovery allows us to be an ongoing source ofstrength for those close to us. We remember thatour loved ones need our support, not our pity. Westrive to set aside the self-obsession of our diseaseand offer care and concern to our loved ones duringdifficult times.In Times of Illness41

“In the last months I felt that I was never doing enough,that I wasn’t repaying my friend for what he had givenme. The guilt was tormenting me. I believed that Iwasn’t a good friend at all. But I shared about it withfriends and at meetings, and by being open to themessage of recovery I realized that I was doing the best Icould and that my effort was good enough.”Being a source of strength and support for a fellowaddict is an honor. We can express love in a numberof ways. An NA friend, sponsor, or sponsee may askus to accompany them to the doctor, or ask for ourhelp in being accountable while they are takingmedication. This is not an invitation to interferewith the medical treatment or personal wishes ofour loved ones. We greet these requests for supporthumbly and gratefully, knowing that it takescourage to reach out for help. Making the effortto pick someone up for a meeting or visiting themwhile they are convalescing are acts of kindness thatour fellow members will appreciate. They may askus to prepare meals, or assist them in other dailyactivities that they are unable to accomplish on theirown. They may also ask for our help in more seriousmatters like seeking advice from legal or financialIn Times of IllnessThe process of working thesteps has given us the ability tolove and accept who we are,and become able to truly love others.42

professionals. We take care to focus on carrying themessage, not carrying the addict. We remember thatthere are many times when something as simpleas a phone call can make a big difference to anaddict who feels isolated by illness. We gratefullyaccept these opportunities to be of service to ourfellow members.“A man I sponsor, with almost ten years cleantime in NA,telephoned me with some bad news. Doctors said he had anincurable disease that would kill him within sixty days. He livedfor two years, however, and continued to work a program ofrecovery. His courage inspired all of us, and he will be missed. Hisexample in living the NA principles will always be remembered.”Like birth, death is a natural part of the life cycle.When we face the loss of a loved one in recovery, westrive to remember this simple fact. Applying thespiritual principles we learn in the steps helps usface reality. Even with time in the program, our firsttendency may be to run from painful situations.Facing our fear and reaching out in spite of itdemonstrates our faith in action. Our friends needour unconditional love and support now more thanever. We do what we can to assist them in facingthe end of their lives with dignity and grace. Whenwe encourage them to reach out and share with ushonestly, we may find that there are details abouttheir medical care that they would prefer remainconfidential. We honor their requests, and indoing so we honor them. We counter our own selfcenterednessby focusing on life, and on the miracleof recovery that brought us all together.In Times of Illness43

When people we love in NA are facing an illnessor injury, the outpouring of love they experiencefrom the fellowship can be overwhelming. Thisis a testament to the kind of bonds we form inrecovery. However, it is important to rememberthat some addicts’ families may not understand ourclose relationships to their loved ones. They mayfeel that their privacy is being invaded if groupsof unfamiliar people descend on their home ortheir loved one’s hospital room. We remember toextend them the same respect and empathy we giveto each other. Our experience has shown that theatmosphere of recovery we cherish in our meetingscan translate to these situations as well. Anonymityis also important to remember. In some cases, theremay be family members or other associates who areunaware of their loved one’s recovery in NA. We canbe examples of the spiritual principles of anonymity,integrity, and prudence no matter where we are. Indoing this, we display gratitude for our loved one,our life, and our recovery.In Times of IllnessWe remember that our loved ones need oursupport, not our pity.We can express love in a number of wayswhen our loved ones are facing an illness. Wecan call our friend on the phone, pick themup for a meeting, visit them, prepare meals,or assist them in other daily activities thatthey are unable to accomplish on their own.Dying is a natural part of life. When weapply the spiritual principles we learn inthe steps, we are able to face reality and bethere to support those we love.44

ConclusionComing to accept an illness is a process, likerecovery. In the beginning we may experience manyfamiliar feelings like denial, anger, rationalization,self-deception, and grief. It may be helpful toremind ourselves that these feelings are a reactionto a painful situation. When we apply the spiritualprinciples we have learned in NA, we can reach aplace where surrender and acceptance replace theanger and denial. Reaching out can help us breakthrough isolation and self-pity. Acceptance ofsomething doesn’t necessarily mean that we like it;we can dislike something and still accept it.We have a choice today. Like anything else inour recovery, we can make a decision to view ourexperience with illness or injury not as a crisis, butas an opportunity for spiritual growth. With the helpof NA, we strive to surrender to our medical situationand accept the reality of the treatment. We ask forthe guidance of our sponsor and our Higher Powerwhen making decisions. We can decide to employspiritual principles like humility and faith when weWe have found that, by followingthe suggestions offered by theNA program, we can successfully livewith an illness or injury whilemaintaining our recovery.In Times of Illness45

each out for help to our friends in the fellowship.Experience has shown us that maintaining ourrecovery during times of illness or injury can bedone by striving to consistently practice a spiritualprogram. We become a living resource for addictswho will face similar situations in the future.We have found that, by following the suggestionsoffered by the NA program, we can successfullylive with an illness or injury while maintaining ourrecovery. Building a strong foundation in recoveryprepares us to accept life on life’s terms. Workingthe steps is a process that teaches us solutionsthat we can apply to the realities of life and death.We develop the ability to survive our emotions byapplying spiritual principles each day. Reachingout for help is an integral piece of our program,and especially important when walking throughdifficult times. Recovery meetings can provide thesupport of others who know us well. Our experiencemay become a valuable tool for another addict whofaces a similar situation, and sharing our experiencewith others strengthens our recovery. The principlesof NA help us face anything just for today.In Times of Illness46

Suggestions to Followwith Illness and InjurySome of our members have found the following listof practical tips and suggestions helpful.Go to as many NA meetings as possible and readNA literature.Communicate honestly with your sponsor to avoid self-willand get suggestions from someone who has your bestinterests at heart.Reach out to other NA members. Ask for support.Practice the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.Prayer, meditation, and sharing can help us get outsideourselves to focus on something beyond our own discomfort.Share your thoughts and feelings honestly and openly withyour sponsor and NA friends. They can help us find acceptance.Identifying yourself as a recovering addict to healthcareprofessionals may be helpful.Talk to your healthcare provider and sponsor before takingprescription or nonprescription medication.Arrange for an NA member’s support when facing surgery orother medical treatment involving medication.Inventory your medical condition and explore alternatives tomedication. Write about your feelings and motives.When supporting a member living with illness, remember thatthey need our unconditional love, not our pity or judgment.Continue on your path of recovery in Narcotics Anonymousby applying spiritual principles.In Times of Illness47

Additional NA MaterialYou May Wish to ReadRecovery and Relapse (IP #6) Excerpted from the White Booklet,this pamphlet discusses the early warning signs of relapse, as well asactions that addicts can take to avoid a relapse.Just for Today (IP #8) Five positive thoughts to help recoveringaddicts are presented in this pamphlet. Ideal for reading on a dailybasis, these thoughts provide addicts with the perspective of cleanliving to face each new day. The remainder of the pamphlet developsthe principle of living just for today, encouraging addicts to trust in aHigher Power and work the NA program on a daily basis.Sponsorship (IP #11) Sponsorship is a vital tool for recovery. Thisintroductory pamphlet helps provide an understanding of sponsorship,especially for new members. The pamphlet addresses some questions,including “What Is a Sponsor?” and “How Do You Get a Sponsor?”Sponsorship A book containing many NA members’ first-handexperience with sponsorship. This book includes a section in ChapterFour that highlights how a sponsor can be a valuable source of guidanceand support when facing an illness in recovery.Self-Acceptance (IP #19) The first half of this pamphlet, “TheProblem,” discusses aspects of an unmanageable life, including notaccepting ourselves or others. The second half of the pamphlet, “TheTwelve Steps Are the Solution,” outlines the process that allowsrecovering addicts to apply the Twelve Steps in every area of their livesin order to gain acceptance of themselves and others.More Will Be Revealed (Basic Text, Chapter 10) This chaptercontains a variety of recovery related topics. Among them is adiscussion of the use of medication in recovery.In Times of IllnessNA Groups and Medication This service pamphlet (SP) is a resourceintended to help groups maintain unity as they navigate issues whichmay arise with members who are taking prescription medication.48