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Understanding "Who Is an Addict?" from Narcotics Anonymous
The "Who Is an Addict?" reading from Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides a foundational understanding of addiction from the perspective of those who have lived through it. Let's delve into its key components to gain a deeper insight.
Immediate Recognition of Addiction
The reading begins with a powerful assertion: "Most of us do not have to think twice about this question. WE KNOW!" This statement reflects the profound self-awareness among addicts regarding their condition. For many, the realization of being an addict is immediate and undeniable, stemming from personal experiences and the pervasive impact of drugs on their lives.
Life Centered Around Drugs
"Our whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another—the getting and using and finding ways and means to get more." This highlights the all-consuming nature of addiction, where every aspect of an individual's existence revolves around obtaining and using substances. Daily routines, relationships, and even moral judgments become secondary to the pursuit of the next high.
Living to Use and Using to Live
"We lived to use and used to live." This paradoxical statement encapsulates the vicious cycle of addiction. Drugs become both the purpose of life and the means to endure it, creating a self-perpetuating loop that's challenging to break.
Definition of an Addict
"Very simply, an addict is a man or woman whose life is controlled by drugs." NA emphasizes that addiction transcends demographics; it can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. The common denominator is the loss of control over one's life due to substance dependence.
Addiction as a Progressive Illness
"We are people in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness whose ends are always the same: jails, institutions, and death." This underscores the chronic and escalating nature of addiction. Without intervention, the trajectory often leads to severe consequences, including incarceration, institutionalization, or fatality.
The Role of Denial
Many addicts may not initially recognize their problem. Often, it is only after repeated failed attempts to cease using drugs on their own that they acknowledge the control substances have over their lives. NA describes this realization as understanding that they "lived to use and used to live."
The Disease of Addiction
NA describes addiction as a progressive disease with no known cure, which affects every area of an addict's life: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. NA suggests that the disease of addiction can be arrested, and recovery is possible through the NA twelve-step program. The steps never mention drugs or drug use; rather, they refer only to addiction, to indicate that addicts have a disease of which drug use is one symptom. In the NA program, all drugs are considered equal, and alcohol is also a drug. Other symptoms include obsession, compulsion, denial, and self-centeredness.
Hope and Recovery
While the reading paints a stark picture of addiction, it also serves as a prelude to the message of hope that NA offers. By acknowledging the problem and embracing the support of the fellowship, individuals can embark on a journey of recovery, learning to live fulfilling lives free from the control of drugs.
In summary, the "Who Is an Addict?" reading provides a concise yet profound overview of addiction from the perspective of those who have experienced it firsthand. It serves as both a mirror for those struggling to see their own reflection and a beacon guiding them toward the possibility of recovery.
What is an Addict? A Perspective from Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) defines addiction as a progressive and chronic condition that affects individuals physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. At its core, addiction is not just about the substances used but about the behaviors and compulsions that come with it. NA considers an addict to be someone whose life has become unmanageable due to their uncontrollable urge to use drugs, regardless of the consequences.
The Nature of Addiction
NA views addiction as an illness characterized by obsessive thinking, compulsive behavior, denial, and self-centeredness. These traits create a cycle that leads to repeated substance use despite the harm it causes. This cycle is often accompanied by feelings of powerlessness, guilt, and shame, which reinforce the need to continue using.
A Broader Definition of "Drugs"
In Narcotics Anonymous, the term “drugs” encompasses all mind- or mood-altering substances, including alcohol. The focus is less on the specific substance and more on the addictive behavior and its effects on the person’s life. This perspective allows NA to address the root causes of addiction rather than the symptoms associated with a particular substance.
The Addict’s Experience
For many addicts, the compulsion to use becomes the central focus of their lives. As NA puts it, addicts “lived to use and used to live.” This means their daily lives revolve around obtaining and using drugs, often at the expense of their relationships, responsibilities, and well-being. Over time, this compulsive behavior leads to isolation, loss of control, and a sense of hopelessness.
Recognizing the Problem
One of the hallmarks of addiction is denial. Many addicts struggle to admit they have a problem, even when faced with overwhelming evidence. This denial often persists until they experience a moment of clarity—typically after hitting a personal “rock bottom.” This could be losing a job, damaging important relationships, facing legal troubles, or enduring severe health issues. It is only in these moments that many addicts begin to understand the extent of their addiction and the unmanageability of their lives.
The Disease of Addiction
NA emphasizes that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. This disease is progressive, meaning it worsens over time if left untreated. Without intervention, addiction can lead to devastating outcomes, including incarceration, institutionalization, or even death.
Addiction’s Impact on Every Aspect of Life
Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict—it impacts everyone around them. Relationships with family and friends are strained, professional obligations are often neglected, and the addict may resort to dishonest or harmful behaviors to sustain their habit. Emotionally, addicts may feel trapped, oscillating between periods of euphoria while using and despair when not. Mentally, they may experience obsessive thoughts about using and feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness. Spiritually, addiction often leads to a loss of connection to one’s values or purpose in life.
Hope for Recovery
While the journey begins with recognizing the problem, Narcotics Anonymous offers a path to change. NA believes that recovery is possible for anyone willing to seek help and work toward a new way of living. This process involves acknowledging the powerlessness over addiction, seeking support, and making gradual changes to break the cycle of compulsive behavior.
Why NA Exists
NA provides a safe, judgment-free space where addicts can share their experiences, find understanding, and begin to rebuild their lives. It operates on the principle of one addict helping another, which fosters mutual support and accountability. Through this fellowship, addicts learn to live without the compulsive need to use drugs, finding freedom and hope for a better future.
The Bold Question: Am I an Addict?
If you're in difference of two minds right now, read on:
All of us who eventually arrived at an NA Meeting had to ask ourselves this crucial question. It is perhaps the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. Maybe we could admit that we had addictive tendencies when it came to food, work and play etc, but never drugs! Denial played a great part in preventing us from answering honestly.
There is however a leaflet with a series of questions which can help: It is called "Am I an addict?" and here is part of the questionnaire:
1. Do you ever use alone?
2. Have you ever substituted one drug for another, thinking that one particular drug was the problem?
3. Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?
4. Have you ever stolen drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?
5. Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?
6. Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?
7. Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using drugs?
8. Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?
9. Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use?
10. Have you ever been arrested as a result of using drugs?
11. Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?
12. Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?
13. Have you ever tried to stop or control your using?
14. Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation center because of your using?
15. Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?
16. Does the thought of running out of drugs terrify you?
17. Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without drugs?
18. Do you ever question your own sanity?
19. Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?
20. Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without drugs?
If you or someone you know may be struggling with addiction, Narcotics Anonymous is here to help. No matter how far addiction has taken someone, there is always hope for a new beginning.