NA a lifeline for local drug addicts

Date: 24 September 2016 By: Isabel Venter

Amid recent reports of drug-related problems and addiction in Louis Trichardt, the local Alcoholics Anonymous branch (AA) established a Narcotics Anonymous (NA) branch in town.

The first NA meeting was held on 6 September at the Methodist Church in Munnik Street. Just like AA, the NA has a programme that guides recovery with 12 steps and 12 traditions. Anyone who feels they want to stop using drugs may join the NA, regardless of which drug they are recovering from. There are no fees or charges for joining NA or attending NA meetings. There will be one meeting every month that is also open to the friends and family of recovering addicts.

The NA is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs has become a major problem. “We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean and sober. We focus on the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug. Our message is broad enough to attract addicts, regardless of gender, race, creed or religion,” said the organisers.

The journey of recovery, however, begins with the addicts themselves. “You and you alone are the only person who can help yourself,” was the message.

The NA branch has an open-door policy. Sometimes people come to NA meetings while still using drugs, detoxing from drugs or while on drug-replacement therapy. Their motto is: “Just for today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once.”

The fellowship is self-supporting and does not offer any vocational, legal, financial, psychiatric or medical services. Instead, the primary purpose is to provide a recovery environment in meetings, whereby drug addicts can share their recovery experiences and also encourage each other to stay sober and clean.

Recovering addicts, especially, are vulnerable to cross addictions like alcohol or prescription drugs. It is for this reason that an addict (sober for five years and less or recently discharged from a rehab facility) is encouraged to attend meetings every day for at least 90 days. Members also encourage each other to abstain from all forms of drugs or alcohol. 

Even though the formation of the town’s very own NA fellowship was welcomed by all as a step in the right direction, local addicts in attendance pointed out that the battle – to rid the town of this evil – is only beginning.

A big concern is that there are currently not enough specialized authorities available locally where an addict can seek help when they are at the lowest point, struggling with the two most agonizing words of their life: “Help Me!”

Should you, however, ever find yourself or a loved one in dark times, the following emergencies numbers (or any of those provided weekly in the newspaper) can be contacted: The Zoutpansberg Private Hospital at Tel 015 516 3901, Conrad van den Heever at Tel 072 649 0043 or the local depression group at Tel 072 262 8646, 084 616 2355, 082 256 6423 or 083 257 312.

The NA can be joined at any time, freely and voluntarily. For more information, Desmond or Jannie can be contacted at either 073 227 8761 or 076 501 8285.

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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