On Tuesday, February 17, I had the opportunity to go to a local Lexington, Kentucky Narcotics Anonymous meeting. I was accompanying a friend who had to observe such a meeting for a class she takes at the
University of Kentucky. I agreed to go because I had never been to any kind of "anonymous" meeting and I have always wanted to know if it's just like what one could see on television or movies. I believe one of the goals in
every one's life should be trying to obtain as much knowledge and experience one can, so this was a great opportunity to do so.
The meeting was held in the basement of a local Baptist church. The first thing I noticed, and this is going to sound really pig-headed, but I think it's important to note, was that there were a lot of good looking women there. I couldn't believe it. When I think of narcotics and pill-addicts I think of people missing their teeth, people who are extremely skinny, and overall unhealthy looking. But I was really long. In fact, for the most part, most of the people in attendance looked fine. So you see, even if I didn't take anything else away from this meeting, at least I know that the preconceived stereotype I had is actually wrong.
There was a lot of hugging, which I enjoyed. I know that sounds creepy but I'm a touchy-
feely kind of person. I say the word "love" a lot and I hug all my friends and relatives, so why not do it with strangers who are trying to better themselves? Everyone seemed very kind to each other and very happy to see each other. I picked my seat at a table with my friend which was shared by other strangers who didn't seem to know each other either, but it didn't matter. Even though they were strangers, I got the feeling that they felt close to each other, possibly because of the same kind of circumstances that had befell on them.
The meeting was led by a woman who looked very professional but who was also an addict. She assigned different people reading rights. First the meeting rules were read. Then the 12 steps of recovery. Then some kind of mantra that I didn't really understand, but probably would if i was in that situation because I would understand more of what it really means. Within each part of the reading, the members in attendance all exclaimed certain parts together, which started to sound kind of
cultish, which is mean, but I understand the reason for it. Repetition is very important to any kind of oath or commitment. I was surprised that so many people could remember so much because the parts where everyone spoke up were long and seemed
convoluted, so props to them for doing such a good job.
After the initial readings, the woman leading the meeting introduced a gentlemen who was celebrating his first year of
sobriety on that very day. Everyone applauded. He was given the chance to speak, and oh, did he speak. It wasn't boring at all. He spoke long and intimately about his life, his family, how he got into pot when he was a teenager because everyone in his neighborhood did. This led him down a road to other drugs. He always worked, but always used as well. He ended up marrying a woman, his second marriage I believe, who was also a user, but a more extreme one. One day, he left for work, leaving her in a spot on the floor he thought she had fell asleep on after using. When he returned, he found her in the exact same spot. He checked for her heartbeat, as he knew how to do from his army training. There wasn't one.
The loss and increase usage forced him to sell his house to pay off debts and other bills. He became homeless. He moved in with his sister, who ended up kicking him out only to let him back in. Finally, a spot in the local Lexington Hope Center opened. He went there. That's when he started to get clean. This was all in a span of thirty some years. A user for thirty years and I am present for his first year of sobriety. Pretty. Damn. Neat.
After his speech, others were given the opportunity to express the congratulations and their own current hardships. The phrase "keep coming" kept being uttered from the members to other members who admitted they were having problems. At the end of it, a cake was brought out to celebrate the one man's first year clean. There was also a "Happy Birthday"
balloon, because this was his first "newborn" year. More mantra was read allowed by different members. Everyone circled up and put their arms behind each other. A prayer was said. Then the meeting was excused.
Sure at times it was boring. Sure at times it was sad. But I'm glad for the experience. I'm glad I went.
