Atmosphere of Recovery Workshop

The NA Group

• Fun
• Diversity and inclusiveness x 4
• Feeling useful x 1
• Habit and sense of responsibility x 1
• Belief in the Home Group

2. What spiritual principles need to be present to have an atmosphere of recovery?

• Keep it punctual
• Give new comers a chance to share x 1
• Make the newcomer welcome, thanking them even if they didn’t share x 2
• Good snacks
• Variety of speakers x 1

Challenges and Solutions

1

• Communication x 1
• Fairness
• Full participation of all group members x 1
• Fellowship of unity
• Trust in fellow members to carry the message

2

• Aggression
  • Can close the meeting – safety first
  • Call the police
  • Don’t confront aggressive disruptors alone.  Always at least two (2) older cleaner members of the same gender.
• Using mobile phones
  • State in preamble
  • Encourage members to be respectful or to go outside.
  • Set a good example
• Talking / whispering / joking during speakers x 5
  • ‘Shhhhhh’ sometimes works
  • Reminder that the meeting is still going

3

• Predatory behaviour / Bullying
  • Two (2) people approach the bully
  • Approach and check in with the target
  • Reassure and support those affected
• Sexual harassment
  • Two (2) people approach the bully
  • Approach and check in with the target
  • Reassure and support those affected
• Discrimination
  • Two (2) people approach the bully
  • Approach and check in with the target
  • Reassure and support those affected

4. How do groups support those that have relapsed?

• Reassurance and support x 1
• Regular checking in x 1
• Constant contact
• Follow up with people who have dropped off meetings and build trust x 1
• Share your own experience with relapse, they are not alone x 1
• No pressure and don’t flood them with questions x 1
• Ask what we can do to help x 2

5. How to welcome regular group members and OCMs x 1

• Ask how they are regardless of clean time
• Be mindful that no matter how regular their attendance, or how long their clean time, they may still have problems and need support x1
• Thank people for their attendance, contributions, service and shares x 5
• Show gratitude.
• Encourage people to join home groups x 1
• Put on speaker meetings.
• Make big celebration and just as many congratulations for people celebrating many years clean x 4