Planting Seeds of Recovery Through Sponsorship

Having been a member of Narcotics Anonymous since 1986, I feel it’s important to share my experience, strength, and hope—especially as times change and questions arise around medication and recovery. I sometimes hear people wondering what we, as members of NA, should do in these situations.

When I first walked into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous, I knew nothing about our program. I had never heard phrases like “one is too many and a thousand is never enough,” or that addiction was a disease. At the time, I was on methadone, and honestly my goal was simply to get everyone in my world—including the law—off my back while continuing to use methadone and trying to control it.

What I did hear when I got here were two simple suggestions: “Get a sponsor” and “Keep coming back.”

So I got a sponsor and began spending time around the meetings—before and after—listening and learning. Over time I began to hear the message of Narcotics Anonymous, and that’s when the truth and magic started happening for me. This truly is a program of attraction rather than promotion. Eventually I got clean, and this June I will celebrate 38 years.

I will always be grateful to the sponsor who met me exactly where I was. She never judged me and never told me what to do about medication. Instead, she shared her experience and allowed me the space to grow in my own recovery.

My experience with sponsorship reflects what our Basic Text tells us: “The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel.” I was taught by those who came before me that I sponsor people to help keep me clean and to be of service to Narcotics Anonymous—not to control anyone else’s recovery.

Sponsorship is one of the most meaningful ways we plant seeds of recovery in NA. By sharing our experience, strength, and hope with another addict, we help carry the message that recovery is possible.

Our program is a spiritual one. We share what worked for us and trust our Higher Power and the program to do the rest. Any addict seeking recovery deserves to feel welcome here.

I remain deeply grateful for this program and for the warm welcome I received when I first arrived. Those early seeds of kindness helped my recovery grow—and today I try to pass those seeds along.

-Deb C.