Jennings County Nar-Anon Family

02/19/2026

01/23/2026

✨ New Al-Anon Meeting in Seymour! ✨

Starting February, a new Al-Anon Family Group will be meeting at the 180 Office in Seymour. Al-Anon offers support for friends and family affected by someone else’s alcoholism or addiction. It's a safe, welcoming space to find hope and understanding.

01/22/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 21 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
SPONSORSHIP
My sponsor told me all progress is in direct relation to how much pain I am no longer willing to endure. When my son was almost killed, had crack psychosis and faced ten years in prison, I was so afraid for him. I did not think I could survive.
I was desperate for tools. When a woman in a meeting shared that she had three adult sons who were in prison, I knew she was the sponsor for me. She was someone who knew what I was facing. She had what I wanted - a way to survive with children in prison.
With my sponsor's help, I learned to let go and let this child be an adult and suffer his own consequences for using drugs. I did what she told me to do: read literature, write, work the steps and do service. I learned to have confidence that whatever the addict had to go through, no matter how dire, even death, it was his journey, not mine. His fate hung in the balance many times. Today, many years later, my sponsor and I are grateful that, unlike their fathers, our sons are no longer in prison and have found recovery.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: I do what my sponsor did for me, especially when a newcomer comes to a meeting, I share my story. With this, the newcomer may realize they are no longer alone but among people who can understand their situation.

" 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 - 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞."~ Unknown
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/22/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 20 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
LOSING CONTROL
How long will I continue to try to control other people, places and things when I know from working the Nar-Anon program that the only person I have any control over is me? My urge to control returns instantly when I take another person's inventory. I must learn to mind my own business and remember what my business is. If my name is not on it, I need to let it go.
Step One reminds me that I have no power over other people's lives. It goes on to suggest that my attempt to control other people, places and things is making my life unmanageable. If I come into Nar-Anon and honestly share my anxiety and frustration at my inability to accept the unacceptable, I open the way for help from the group and from the power that I feel present in these rooms.
Step One begins with admitting we are powerless over the addict, and then we admit our lives are unmanageable. If I practice this step each time I want to control a person or situation, not only will I be able to mind my own business, I will have more time and energy to do so. I will have the energy to set boundaries and make choices that benefit me.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: I will focus on the things I can change, and I will release those things that I cannot change to my Higher Power. Knowing my limitations will prepare me for Step Two. I have begun my journey to serenity and peace of mind. My Nar-Anon program offers this priceless gift.

"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥." ~ Leo Buscaglia

𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/22/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 19 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
BALANCE
Before I came to Nar-Anon, I did not have any balance in my life, but I did not realize it. My entire focus was on the addict, and I became lost in the shuffle. When someone asked me how I was doing, I would reply that I was not well. I then would tell them about the addict's problems. When the addict was out using, I could not sleep, eat or think straight. All I could do was focus on the addict. I would sit still and worry. I was paralyzed by fear and trapped in obsessive thinking.
When I came to Nar-Anon and I heard the steps for the first time, I embraced Step One because it so perfectly described my life. My life was unmanageable because I was trying to control the addict's life.
Once I accepted that I was powerless over the addict and his choices, I was set free and was on my way to finding my balance and myself once again. As I continued going to meetings and using the tools of the program, my life continued to change. When the addict was out using, I called a Nar-Anon friend and talked, went to a meeting or read my literature. Accepting the First Step helped me to move on. I was no longer stuck. I learned that worry never stopped anything from happening. I learned that my fear did not help the addict. I learned how to live my life again.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: As a person who loves an addict, I need to admit and accept that I am powerless over other people. I accept that my life is unmanageable when I am trying to control others. Then I can change my focus and find balance, peace, serenity and myself again.

"𝐁𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬." ~ Paths to Recovery
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/22/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 18 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
FRIENDSHIP
Before Nar-Anon I believed that I had to always give more so people would like me, or say the things people wanted to hear, not what I really thought or felt. I was a people pleaser. and I did not want to hurt my friends' feelings. I did not respect myself enough to believe my own feelings had value. I had to forgive my addicted friends because they were not responsible for their behavior, because they were high. When I first learned that addiction is a disease, I mistakenly thought I had to accept unacceptable behavior from an addict because the addict was sick.
What I have learned in Nar-Anon about friendship is to be more open and honest in my relationships. I do not need to be mean or pushy, but I have a right to express my opinions. I can say what is on my mind in an appropriate manner whether the other person agrees with me or not. To be a friend does not mean that I have to agree with all of a person's values or opinions. I have learned to accept people for who they are, and not to expect them to be what I am or what I want them to be. I have also learned that everyone is responsible, including me, for his or her own behavior. I do not have to accept unacceptable behavior such as violence, verbal abuse or stealing. I can choose not to associate with someone who is behaving in a harmful manner, and I do not have to feel guilty or make excuses for their behavior.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: Nar-Anon has enlightened my mind and soul. I can now look at my part in a friendship. When there are things I do that are wrong and I need to make an amends or to take responsibility, I do. I also respect myself and protect myself from harmful behavior. Nar-Anon has given me a new set of friends that I can trust, and I feel close to them.

"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝." ~ William Rostler
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/22/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 17 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
PROCRASTINATION
Do I believe I will be here on earth forever? My favorite saying is "I'll do it tomorrow." Somehow, I never find enough time to do it, especially if it is for me. I schedule too much into my life. One of my character defects is procrastinating, and it has been a part of my life for a long time. I will work on it tomorrow, next month or next year. When I am honest with myself, I realize someday my time will be up, and my chance to do all those things will be lost. My bumper sticker says, "Be Patient, I Procrastinate."
Maybe I am giving myself permission to continue this behavior. I guess I have to learn the lesson that procrastination teaches. When I am gone they will write, "She never did today what could be put off until tomorrow and her tomorrow never came."
In Nar-Anon, I am starting to learn to put the focus on me and my character defects. When I do this, I realize it may be fear, the need to isolate, or the need to distract myself from my growth that makes me procrastinate. Perhaps it is because I feel I am not important enough to work on! I get an adrenaline rush every time there is a deadline. Am I setting myself up for failure or do I enjoy that feeling? What is my reward or payoff? What do I get from procrastination?
I am used to being the caretaker of others who are struggling to balance life against the weight of addiction. I feel guilty taking a moment to focus on myself or enjoy life. However, for my own sanity and growth, that is exactly what I need to do.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: The addict's roller coaster struggles in active addiction will continue, no matter what I choose to do. So today, it is perfectly fine for me to work on myself and enjoy a moment of satisfaction and happiness, without feeling guilty that I fell asleep on my watch.
"𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐢𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝." ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/21/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 16 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
COMMON WELFARE
Addiction is a family disease. It not only affects the user but the non-users as well. I worried so much about the addict. I allowed the addict to consume my thoughts. The addict always had a crisis or was MIA on a binge. I was so distracted that I did not give the other family members much thought. It was not until I finally realized that there were other souls living in the house, including me, that deserved attention and tender, loving care, that I found the courage to make a tough decision. I applied the First Tradition to my family. For the common welfare of the family, I decided to offer the addict a choice - stop the drugs or leave.
Before I found my courage through the help of my Nar-Anon family, my husband and I allowed our addicted son to dictate the family dynamics. I did not understand the addict had choices, so I coddled him. The addict's behavior was destroying my other child's life. I allowed the addict free room and board while he spent his money on drugs, which was not setting a good example for either child.
In Nar-Anon, I learned that my son did not cause his disease. He was, however, responsible for taking care of himself. Like all of us, he had the ability to seek help and recovery. I had to take drastic measures and banish the addict from our home because of his behavior. Regardless of the support and love he was offered, he continued to be poisonous to the rest of us in the household.
I am thankful I had so much support from my Nar-Anon Family Group. Other members sharing about their own struggles gave me courage to act. I still do not know how our family's journey will turn out, but we are traveling in a healthier direction.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: None of us may have the ultimate answers, but we can all help each other feel less alone and afraid. It is because you have walked the same road as me and have shared your life and experiences with me, that I have become a better parent. The sharing of your experience, strength and hope is truly invaluable to me.
"𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭; 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲." ~ Nar-Anon Tradition One
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/21/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 15 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
POWERLESS
I was almost done with my housework when I realized that the dishwasher had never turned on. Glancing at the microwave, I noticed that there were no readings. Thinking I had blown a circuit breaker, I went to the basement to check. I flipped the switches, but nothing changed; still, no power. The electricity was completely out. I asked a neighbor what had happened. He said that the electricity would be out for several more hours because city workers broke an underground line. Although the house was completely powerless, I found myself flipping the light switch every twenty minutes to see if there really was no power.
Without power, I could not use the telephone, computer, television, lights, dishwasher, microwave, stove, vacuum, hairdryer, stereo, or washing machine. This situation helped me to understand the meaning of Step One in a much deeper and more practical way. Nothing I could do changed my situation. I had to admit, I was powerless.
Admitting I am powerless over other people, places and the disease of addiction, sometimes takes many failed attempts before I finally realize the truth and stop trying to control or change it.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: I have made many attempts to stop the addict from using. All these efforts have failed. Today I admit I am powerless over addiction and I can release the addict with love.

"𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐫-𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐧." ~ The Nar-Anon Twelve Step Program
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/21/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 14 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
COURAGE TO START A MEETING
For some time I thought about starting a Nar-Anon group near my home. What I heard today at a Nar-Anon convention helped to make that thought a reality. I spend a lot of time going to Narcotics Anonymous meetings with the addict in my life. I realized that I was doing a good job of helping, assisting, aiding, and supporting the addict with the addict's recovery. But I am not an addict, and I cannot relate to many of their struggles. I usually hear something that is useful, but I am not connecting to their stories.
Living with active addiction has taught me to use defense mechanisms. For example, many times I did not say what I believed because I was afraid the addict would not like what I said and then would get mad at me. Then, I expected that we would get into a fight, and the addict would go out and use. I thought I could control others by acting in a way that made them happy. My disease was one of fear and control.
The only times I had attended Nar-Anon meetings were when I went to a Narcotics Anonymous convention. The first thing I did when I arrived at the conventions was to see if Nar-Anon would be there. Every time I attended a Nar-Anon meeting, I felt at home and connected with the other members. I see now that by not working the Nar-Anon program I was depriving myself of my own recovery, and the growth and cleansing which I desperately needed in my life. As I continued to sit, listen and write, I realized that it had been a fear of failing that had stopped me from starting a meeting for myself. How could I control the success of the meeting? The result of my fear of failure was that I did not have the benefit of a Nar-Anon meeting close to me. It finally dawned on me that there was nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting a Nar-Anon meeting, which would benefit so many in my hometown.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: I will have the courage to do something new even though I cannot control or predict the outcome.
"The immature think that knowledge and action are different, but the wise see them as the same. The person who is established in one path will attain the rewards of both. The goal of knowledge and the goal of service are the same; those who fail to see this are blind." ~ Bhagavad Gita
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/21/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 13 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
STEP ONE
When I first came to the Nar-Anon program and heard about powerlessness, I did not understand what it meant. I thought I had control over everything and everyone including the addict. How enlightening to realize that the addiction of my loved one was out of my control, that I had no power over it or any responsibility for it. I am also learning that powerlessness does not mean I do not have any power or that I am a victim or I am helpless. I do have the power to own my feelings and take care of myself. Powerlessness in recovery does not mean that I have to accept unacceptable behavior or make excuses for others' unacceptable behavior. I also should not make excuses for my own unacceptable behavior. I can use the Serenity Prayer and, with the help of my Higher Power, accept those things I cannot change and change the things I can. I have the power to forgive others and myself and accept that we are all flawed human beings. I can hold others and myself accountable and still love and accept them and myself, despite our shortcomings. I do have the power over my choices, how I see and react to the things that happen in my life.
I can turn the feelings of desperation that I had about powerlessness to feelings of joy, freedom and serenity, knowing that I have power over me. When I do, I start to feel grateful for the things my Higher Power and the Nar-Anon program have given me. The powerlessness of Step One has been the foundation for my recovery through the Twelve Steps.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: I know that I am powerless over the addict. It gives me a sense of freedom and serenity to know that I am ultimately responsible only for my own life and choices.
"We are powerless over our addictions, whether liquor, pills, people, food. We are not powerless, however, over our own attitudes, our own behaviors, our own self-image, our own determination, our own commitment to life and this simple program." ~ Karen Casey
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴

01/21/2026

𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 12 ~ 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘌𝘚𝘏 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Before my Nar-Anon program started to sink in, I would focus on every negative aspect of my life. Poor me, I am married to an addict. Poor me, the addict has finally left after I asked him to leave. Oh, poor me, the addict has found another person who is happy to live with him whether he is using or not. Poor me, I have been left alone to take care of myself. Who is going to help me and take care of me? Wait a minute, who was taking care of me before?
After years of attending Nar-Anon meetings, I am able to look at my situation differently. I married an addict and we had many good years, but unfortunately, for him, his disease progressed. He became sicker. His using was bothering me and so I asked him to leave and he did. I know he is safe and I hope he will get well. I am now free. Thank you, Nar-Anon and my Higher Power, for giving me another chance.
With an attitude of gratitude, I am freeing myself from my old way of thinking. I am changing. I am not always inclined to focus on things that are going wrong - negative things. I try to ask myself, where in my life is there good. I am grateful for these things. Sometimes when I cannot find anything good in my life I take a walk to the local reservoir. It is beautiful and serene. The lower trail is more than two miles. It seems like a bowl that opens up into the sky. "The firmaments of heaven" often occur to me. I feel closer to my Higher Power and my walk becomes a meditation for me. I return from my walk relaxed.
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: When I look hard enough, I can be grateful for something.
"Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new end." ~ Carl Bard
𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 © 2007 𝘣𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘳-𝘈𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴