This photo, submitted by Chris M, is from the Crippled Dog Group, a Monday night round-robin candlelight participation meeting on the East side of Hollywood, California. The group has been meeting for twelve years. It is especially attractive to newcomers because of the serene, welcoming atmosphere.

We hope the July 2005 NA Way article on the subject of “atmosphere of recovery” inspired discussions in group business meetings. Many may have identified things their groups could do to create a safe, inviting, and warm atmosphere for members. In this issue, we continue this discussion with a focus on what each of us can do in our groups and in our service to nurture that recovery atmosphere.

How might the picture in this article speak to an atmosphere of recovery? How could the meeting environment in this picture say “welcome”? The meeting set-up appears structured, which may provide a sense of safety and security for our members. The meeting atmosphere seems to say, “We care,” and it indicates that members took time to set up the meeting space. And the picture may express tranquility and serenity. Understandably, this picture may not “speak” to you in the same manner it does to those who regularly attend this NA meeting, but the goal for its members is to create and maintain a meeting environment that provides a recovery atmosphere.

As many of us may have learned, there are numerous ways to create an atmosphere of recovery. The layout of the meeting is one aspect. We all may be able to distinguish the difference between a meeting with chairs that are carefully positioned in rows or a circle, and a meeting where chairs are haphazardly scattered about. In the meeting with carefully positioned chairs, we may consider that members took pride in the meeting set-up, while the haphazardly placed chairs could be the product of a hurried and uncaring approach. Which one, do you think, speaks to members in a more inviting way?

We may also consider the meeting itself. Some of us might attend meetings where members share their solutions, speak of being grateful, mention working the steps, and talk about their connection to a sponsor and recovery friends. Then again, we may attend meetings where members complain and drama spreads throughout the meeting room. Practical solutions, working the steps, and “sponsor” are words that are hardly ever uttered at these meetings. Which one sounds more like an atmosphere of recovery?

Granted, there will be times when groups go through difficult phases when the message of recovery and hope can get lost in chaos or confusion. This is when we will want to take additional time in our business meetings to ask ourselves, “What is going on?” and “What happened?”  A drop in meeting attendance often indicates that the atmosphere of the meeting has changed. Then again, a change in the members who attend a meeting could also result in a change in the recovery atmosphere.

We may find a meeting atmosphere that is so welcoming to the newcomer that members with more recovery experience seem to vanish. This is the extreme example; however, in creating an atmosphere of recovery, do we consider that meetings need both new and experienced members?  Our literature certainly informs us that experienced members can only keep what they have by giving it away—that, no matter what is going on in their lives, whether they have worked all twelve steps or not, these experienced members meet life on its terms without using drugs. On the other hand, the refreshing words of new members can help the experienced member as well. After a newcomer shares, it’s not uncommon to hear experienced members comment, “That is just what I needed to hear.”  It seems to make sense that a recovery atmosphere is achieved with a blend of both new and experienced members.

When members share in meetings, are they speaking about their experience, strength, and hope, or are they lecturing, speaking pompously, or just trying to sound good? Our literature lets us know that our experience with living life without drugs is the message we have to share. It rings true and speaks to the hearts of addicts in every meeting.

In our business meetings, do we have committed, stable members who participate?  We may wonder what a group business meeting has to do with an atmosphere of recovery. The group is responsible for setting the tone and recovery environment, which is often decided upon in the group’s business meetings. Members discuss matters that affect the group and its ability to carry the message of recovery. Sometimes, for instance, a trusted servant may want to continue their group position beyond the end of its term. We then have to consider whether that would be in the group’s best interests, or if including others would be a positive step in the growth of the group. To assist our newer trusted servants, group members may provide written materials to help them succeed in their new role. Taking time to train and acquaint our trusted servants with their responsibilities helps them be prepared, feel confident, and better serve the group. This improves the atmosphere of recovery.

Actions of selfless service help to promote an atmosphere of recovery in every meeting. Think about creating and maintaining an atmosphere of recovery in our groups, and then extending those same actions to an area service committee meeting. What would an area meeting look and feel like if it was infused with a recovery atmosphere?  We often say we need to take our recovery with us everywhere we go and into all our interactions. Let’s take our recovery and our group practices to the area service committee and help create a strong recovery atmosphere there. What better way to help us support our common welfare, generate unity of purpose, and enable us to better carry the message to the addict who still suffers?

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