Keep Coming Back
In August 1988 I first came into the rooms of the Clean and crazy group. It was by accident, as I thought my problem was with alcohol. I would come early to the AA meetings and on Mondays and Fridays an addict would come in at 6:30 PM to hold a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. Many times I saw him by himself reading the literature. I started talking to him and learning about NA. As I listened, I learned there was more to my problem than just alcohol. I would use other drugs
prior to the army getting stronger on their urinalysis, so I increased my alcohol use to compensate for the them. I also learned that thinking of alcohol differently would lead to a relapse. So, I came to the conclusion that thinking of other drugs differently would lead me to a relapse. I feared a relapse would be my last and I would forever be in that spiral to hell. It is hard to remember all the different people that came and went though the doors. The ones I remember are the ones that stayed, and together we worked this thing called recovery.

Around 1990 there was some real growth in the rooms of the clean and crazy group of NA. While we use to meet in the ALANON room we were growing out of that room and started meeting in the Big Room. We thought we needed another meeting and that Ft Rucker would be a good place. So we started a Thursday night book study at the Ft Rucker ADAPCP (now known as the ASAP). Attendance was small and we thought it might be the stigma at Ft Rucker so we got together with the Wiregrass Club and moved the meetings there. We also took a meeting to Enterprise at the Christian Mission.

As for NA conventions, we were attending FUN IN THE SUN the first weekend in May. In September 1990 we had our first Area meeting. We learned that we needed by-laws, an Area name, and we needed to do to be recognized by the Region. So, we got together with the groups in Dothan, Ozark, and Troy and determined that all were interested in joining together and becoming an Area.

It took a couple months to get the by-laws approved by the groups. There was a great debate on the name. Wiregrass Area was discussed, but the majority thought it was too much affiliated with AA so that name was turned down. I didn’t even get any discussion or a second on my suggestion of Jim’s Area. LOL.

As the other Areas in the Region were using locations, we decided upon the name East LA (Lower Alabama) Area of Narcotics Anonymous. That name was taken back to the groups and voted on and approved. In Dec 1990 the area service representative went to the first Region and was recognized and we became a member of the Alabama/NW Florida Region of Narcotics Anonymous.

1990 saw having speakers at the Birthday meetings and having them recorded.

Business meetings dragged on as we looked for the best for the addict still suffering inside and outside the rooms—Of course we would have our after meeting coffee and eats at various restaurants—More people staying than leaving—Meetings getting larger and more and more people with good solid recovery—Not only were the steps being discussed, but also the Traditions.

With the formation of the area there was more for recovering addicts to do at the Clean and Crazy group. Working on different committees, forming activities, raising money to support the different functions. And the biggest thing, I mean biggest thing, was that no addict was ever turned away. Some came and left, which is the same today. The NA message was carried that no addict seeking recovery will be turned away and die.

In the small time I was an active member of the Clean And Crazy group I saw a lot of changes and most for the good of the group and the fellowship of NA.

We keep the First Tradition in that our recovery depends on the unification and the togetherness of NA. For one addict helping another is without parallel. My job moved me away in June 1993, but each time I returned to the group not only was I warmly received but the new comers were also.

by Jim J.