This
is from an old NA WAY,
circa 1989(?)
Oldtimers Disease
Time of Onset
At any time during recovery. The disease has been observed in its
beginning stages as early as a few months into recovery (when it's sometimes
referred to as, 'the ninety-day wonder condition.') It is more common
among persons with many years in the program. Some researchers suspect
that the longer people are in recovery, the greater the risk of the disease
occurring.
Symptomology
Among those who have contracted the disease, certain behaviors and attitudes
routinely occur. Since no single one of them necessarily indicates the
presence of oldtimer’s disease, but may, instead, point to some related or
associated condition, the following list should be used to diagnose oneself
rather than other persons.
Principle symptoms include:
- Infrequent attendance at NA meetings. Excuses: meetings are
not the way they used to be, or are even boring, or do not have good recovery
because of the presence of so many newcomers.
- When speaking at meetings, reminding those present of the length
of one’s time in the program. Such reminders can be obvious or
subtle. They may even be preceded by assurances of gratitude to those who
helped one to achieve recovery.
- Refusal to get, or to use a sponsor. This is often
explained by the observation that no individual can be found whose recovery is
longer than one’s own – which indicates a confusion between quality of recovery
and quantity of recovery.
- Complaints (privately expressed) that NA is not as it used to be,
or has been watered down, or is in serious danger of becoming ineffective, in
part because of all the new people coming in.
- The belief that one is the definitive interpreter of and
authority on the Basic Text, the Steps and Traditions, and thus is the savior
of NA from it’s less enlightened members.
- Preaching the message (often with the index finger upraised)
rather than sharing experience, strength, and hope. This symptom can show
itself in a variety of ways. For example, frequently beginning sentences
with, “You should” or “You need to” instead of , “I did” or “I am doing."
- Resentment if one is not called upon at a meeting, and resentment
against those who have been called upon to speak. Special resentment is
reserved for the person chairing the meeting.
- Referring constantly to one's past struggles, defaults and triumphs. Only in the rarest of instances is there any reference to present problems. Behind this lies the belief that, granted one's years of recovery, one ought not to have any current problems. There is, in addition, the fear that admission that one's life is not always wonderful and joyous might damage the effectiveness of NA in the eyes of newcomers.
Cause of Disease
Pride and Fear
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the individual case, one or more of the following will probably prove effective:
- Frequent meetings. Daily for one to three months, if possible
- Involvement with a strong, insightful, available sponsor,
especially one with extensive experience working with newcomers or potential
relapsers.
- Re-working the Steps, beginning with Step One, with special
emphasis on Steps Three and Eleven
- Listening carefully at meetings. The practice of listening
is greatly enhanced by the decision not to speak at meetings, even if called
upon, thus freeing one from having to prepare what one wishes to say while
others are speaking.
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I have been afflicted by this disease many times in my recovery. The suggested treatment is very effective.
I need to keep reading this to remind myself of where I am in my program, because the alternative...
Keep The Faith*
