Autonomous Unity

Originally published in 2019. Callers from around the Fellowship discuss questions about the Twelfth Tradition submitted via the Radio Free NA forum. (Radio Free NA was originally hosted on Yahoo Groups and currently resides at Groups.io)

On July 7, 2019 members worldwide participated in this live discussion. All capable of civil discourse were welcome to join. These addicts put forth solutions to a dire problem ☆ In recent years I have refrained from mentioning NAWS in many of my essays and articles, preferring to instead focus on the solution. This episode is about the solution. However, the problem must be clearly identified, and the source of letters calling for Groups, service bodies and addicts to take action made very clear. Vagueness about what those actions should be does not absolve NAWS when Groups and service bodies in the concepts-based structure commit violent acts on their behalf. The conceptual, corporate structure is stepping up violent tactics worldwide in an effort to confiscate, destroy, and suppress literature by addicts, for addicts which is free of professionalism. They are literally committing Strong Arm Robbery* in our recovery meetings without the slightest regard for the presence of newcomers.

The situation is dire and we need to learn how to protect our Groups and literature. Most importantly, we need to protect the still-suffering addict to whom we are carrying a most precious message of hope and promise of freedom.

I'm going to say it how it is: When newcomers experience violence in their first NA meeting WE ARE PASSING A DEATH SENTENCE ON THEM! This is beyond unacceptable. We will no longer tolerate NAWS bullying of addicts who are committed to the Traditions, nor will we abide violence in the presence of, or directed toward newcomers whose only association with the Traditions-based literature movement is seeking the help of addicts for whom this program has worked. The only offense toward the NAWS machine these suffering addicts seeking recovery have committed is accepting that which is freely given to them from those whose recovery and gratitude attracted them to the rooms of NA in the first place. Often those who value NAWS approval and monetary gain over the lives of addicts seeking recovery attempt to mitigate the ramifications of their choices by claiming that anyone who dares utter the phrase "Addicts are dying", is engaging a cheap, overdramatic ploy. It is not; it is simple truth. Just as it was when our program was founded. Just as it was when member-addicts first put pen to paper. Just as it was when that first literature was freely given.

"Addicts are dying" is the reason we have literature at all. It is

the very reason we exist! MONEY, intellectual PROPERTY, and the PRESTIGE of "effective leadership" can no longer be allowed to trump our Traditions, or the right of all NA members to an atmosphere of complete creative freedom; most especially the right of addicts seeking freedom from active addiction to find it wherever they can.

Forcing literature on Groups whose Conscience will not abide professionalism or denying them literature written according to Traditions is a violation of the sanctity of the NA Home Group. No entity, collective, or even vast majority has a right to force their ways on a single Home Group.

Strong Arm Robbery* goes beyond a violation of the Traditions. It is literally a felonious violation of the law. We WILL NOT TOLERATE violence toward our Groups or members a moment longer! No NA Group (NAWS-subservient or Traditionalist) should ever be subjected to violence from other Groups, much less at the behest of service bodies that are subservient to those Groups' authority. There are ways to protect ourselves, our Groups, and the addict seeking recovery whom we should endeavor to serve. Violent enforcement of NAWS norms can no longer be abided by those seeking to carry an unadulterated NA message to all who seek it. Today, NA not only stands for Narcotics Anonymous, it stands for "NEVER AGAIN". The NAWS violence is at an end! -Chubs The Addict

(*Strong Arm Robbery is a specific type of larceny that is committed with a threat of force or intimidation that usually does not involve a weapon.)

Originally published in 2019. Callers from around the Fellowship discuss questions about the Twelfth Tradition submitted via the Radio Free NA forum. (Radio Free NA was originally hosted on Yahoo Groups and currently resides at Groups.io)

Originally published in 2019. Callers from around the Fellowship discuss questions about the Twelfth Tradition submitted via the Radio Free NA forum. (Radio Free NA was originally hosted on Yahoo Groups and currently resides at Groups.io)

Originally published in 2019; This episode is an addendum to A Tale Of Two NAs. It includes an important quote attributed to Jimmy Kinnon, which requires more context as well as correction. I offer my sincere, and humble apologies to the family and friends of Jimmy and hope this "amendment" can serve as proper "amends" to those who love Jimmy and may have been affected by the misinformation I mistakenly reported. I have loved Jimmy since my second sponsor taught me about him in my early recovery, and he was my current sponsor's grandsponsor. I endeavor to report truth here regardless of personal loyalties or affections, and feel a keen sense of remorse for the mistake (and intentional belated repsonse due to my personal defects of procrastination and laziness) because of my fondness for the man who saved my life before I was ever born. Respectfully, Chubs The Addict. "[We write literature] because there are addicts who haven't even been born yet who are going to need it one day" - James "Jimmy K" Kinnon

So, a Group from Nebraska requested that I re-record the "County Blues & Baby Blues Episode". No, that is no bullshit and is not a joke. That really happened. I just now realized in 2020 as I publish this episode to a broader array of podcasting platforms the irony and parallels associated with the events of the WSC that lead to the Third Edition and, ultimately, the restoration of our original Traditions essays to the "unofficial" edition of the NA Basic Text known as The Baby Blue. The reasons for the request are given in the opening minutes of this podcast, so I will not get into them here. That said, for all those who want a more polished, more focused, or version with better sound quality of the County Blues & Baby Blues episode, I have provided it here. If it is not to your liking, do as the trustees did in the 80s: Blame that Group from Nebraska! (This one actually exists!) In Love & Service TO The Member-Addicts Of Narcotics Anonymous, Chubs The Addict. (Originally published in 2019)

Originally published in 2019. Callers from around the Fellowship discuss questions about the Twelfth Tradition submitted via the Radio Free NA forum. (Radio Free NA was originally hosted on Yahoo Groups and currently resides at Groups.io)

Originally published in 2019. Callers from around the Fellowship discuss questions about the Twelfth Tradition submitted via the Radio Free NA forum. (Radio Free NA was originally hosted on Yahoo Groups and currently resides at Groups.io)

Originally published in April of 2019. Member-addict callers from around the world discuss total abstinence, what that means, and answer questions submitted via the Radio Free NA forums.

Originally published in April of 2019. Member-addict callers from around the world discuss total abstinence, what that means, and answer questions submitted via the Radio Free NA forums.