We Can Learn a lot from Narcotics Anonymous

As a Recovery Specialist at the H.A.R.T. House (Healing And Recovery Together), part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, I've seen first-hand the positive impact the daily Narcotics Anonymous "Just for Today" readings have on the residents.

With "Just for Today", they learn how to stay present, rely on a higher power, trust in themselves, avoid isolation, celebrate progress, face fears and live one deep breath at a time.

As part of these daily group Check-Ins, I hear their reflections, and how each reading relates to their own lives and learnings, and most importantly...to their day ahead.

From their voices and hearts comes an abundance of gratitude, goals, accountability, determination, and purpose that help them take the next step. And then the next one.

I also feel and hear their pain, faced with overcoming judgement, disrespect and assumptions made by others towards them in their recovery journey.

We can learn a lot from Narcotics Anonymous.

What Narcotics Anonymous reinforces every day is that recovery is not weakness. It is courage in action.

It takes strength to slow down and to face yourself honestly. Strength to ask for support and let go of shame. Strength to rebuild your life one choice at a time. Strength to move forward despite fear, setbacks or uncertainty. And when I say these women are strong, I mean the strongest.

The more time I spend listening to these reflections each morning, the more I realize these lessons extend far beyond addiction. And these teachers, the residents, have wisdom that extends far beyond recovery.

These are very human lessons shared by very human teachers.

We can learn a lot from Narcotics Anonymous.