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THE
TWELVE TRADITIONS OF NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
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keep what we have only with vigilance, and just a freedom
for the individual comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom
for the group springs from our Traditions. As long as
the ties that bind us together are stronger than those
that would tear us apart, all will be well. |
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| 1 |
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery
depends on NA unity. |
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| 2 |
For
our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority‑a
loving God as He may express Himself in our group
conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants,
they do not govern. |
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| 3 |
The
only requirement for membership is a desire to stop
using. |
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Each group should be autonomous except in matters
affecting other groups or NA as a whole. |
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| 5 |
Each
group has but one primary purpose.to carry the message
to the addict who still suffers. |
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| 6 |
An
NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the
NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise,
lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert
us from our primary purpose. |
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Every
NA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining
outside contributions. |
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| 8 |
Narcotics
Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional,
but our service centers may employ special workers. |
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NA, as such, ought never
be organized, but we may create service boards or
committees directly responsible to those they serve. |
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| 10 |
Narcotics
Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence
the NA name ought never
be drawn into public controversy. |
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| 11 |
Our
public relations policy is based on attraction rather
than promotion; we need always maintain personal
anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.. |
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Anonymity
is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions,
ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. |
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| Understanding
these Traditions comes slowly over a period of time. We
pick up information as we talk to members and visit various
groups. It usually isn't until we get involved with service
that someone points out that "personal recovery depends
on N.A. unity," and that unity depends on how well
we follow our Traditions. The Twelve Traditions of N.A.
are not negotiable. They are the guidelines that keep
our Fellowship alive and free. |
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following these guidelines in our dealings with others,
and society at large, we avoid many problems. That is
not to say that our Traditions eliminate all problems.
We still have to face difficulties as they arise: communication
problems, differences of opinion, internal controversies,
and troubles with individuals and groups outside the Fellowship.
However, when we apply these principles, we avoid some
of the pitfalls. |
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of our problems are like those that our predecessors had
to face. Their hard won experience gave birth to the Traditions,
and our own experience has shown that these principles
are just as valid today as they were when these Traditions
were fomulated. Our Traditions protect us from the internal
and external forces that could destroy us. They are truly
the ties that bind us togerher. It is only through understanding
and application that they work. |
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| Page
57, Basic Text, 5th Edition |
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