The Twelve Traditions of Narcotics
Anonymous
We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just
as 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.
- Our common welfare should come first; personal
recovery depends on NA unity.
- 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.
- The only requirement for membership is a desire
to stop using.
- Each group should be autonomous except in matters
affecting other groups or NA as a whole.
- Each group has but one primary purpose –
to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
- 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.
- Every NA group ought to be fully self-supporting,
declining outside contributions.
- Narcotics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional,
but our service centres may employ special workers.
- NA, as such, ought never be organised, but we
may create service boards or committees directly responsible to
those they serve.*
- Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside
issues; hence the NA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
- 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.
- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our
Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Twelve Traditions reprinted for adaptation
by permission of AA World Services, Inc.
*NA South Africa currently does not employ any special
workers.
Links relating to contents of the Twelve Traditions:
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