What is Nar-Anon?
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have you tried everything you can think of to change the addict and nothing seems to work? Don't give up. There is hope. You are at a turning point. If you would like your life to be different, Nar-Anon can offer you a better way to live. You will meet people at Nar-Anon meetings who understand your frustration. Nar-Anon is a fellowship for families and friends of addicts whose lives have been or are being affected by someone else's addiction.
The Nar-Anon Family Group is primarily for you who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you. When you come into the family group, you are no longer alone but among true friends who understand your problem as few others could. We will respect your confidence and anonymity, as we know you will respect ours. We hope to give you the assurance that no situation is too difficult and no unhappiness is too great to be overcome.
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else's addiction. As a Twelve-Step Program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength, and hope. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. Our program of recovery uses our Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.
How Can Nar-Anon help me?
Nar-Anon is intended for parents, spouses, children, siblings, and friends of addicts. Nar-Anon can provide new insights to help with our attitudes, behaviors, and emotions. We can regain our own sanity and well-being. We learn addiction is a family disease, and we need a recovery program too. In Nar- Anon, we learn we are not responsible for another person's addiction. Addicts need help and so do we. It can be a great relief to learn more effective ways of coping while gaining hope and peace of mind. Do I need Nar-Anon?
What will I find at Nar-Anon?
You will find love, understanding, and hope in the Nar-Anon Family Group. People in the group may be experiencing, in varying degrees, the same hurt, anger, and anxieties you may be feeling. We come to Nar-Anon because we are burdened with responsibilities and feel we are alone. We come here to change the behavior of the addict but soon find that it is our own thinking and attitude that must be changed if we are to have relief. We find people in Nar-Anon who understand what we are going through and are ready to share their experience, strength, and hope to help us. In Nar-Anon, we learn how to live one day at a time; we stop projecting. We learn how to deal with our feelings of fear, guilt, obsession, anxiety, and denial. We look at ourselves and put our energy where we do have some power over the choices in our own lives. As we begin to understand the family disease of addiction, we are better able to handle our problems and improve our own lives. We can gain support and understanding by listening and speaking with others at Nar-Anon meetings.
How Do I Join Nar-Anon?
Joining is easy - just attend a meeting (see Home page for the current Carolina Region meeting list). There are no dues or fees. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. We're never affiliated with any other organization or outside entity.
What Does It Cost?
Nar-Anon has no dues or fees. Each group is self-supporting and collects donations that are used for local expenses such as room rent and supplies. Group and member donations support the Nar-Anon World Service Office.
Is Literature Available?
Nar-Anon publications are based upon the shared experience of our membership and their application of Nar-Anon's principles to their lives. You can view and purchase Nar-Anon literature at our Nar-Anon Webstore. Nar-Anon also quartarly issues of The Serenity Connection which come out every March, June, September, and December. Click here to get more information/subscribe to The Serenity Connection. Looking for Nar-Anon ebooks?
What if there is no Nar-Anon Group in my area?
If there's no Nar-Anon Family Group in your community, you may start one. Nar-Anon Family Groups provides information on how you can do so. Starting A Group.
Copyright Nar-Anon World Services, Inc.; reprinted with permission.
Some content from "Nar-Anon Offers Hope" pamphlet.