NA LiteratureNA Literature1954 to 20091954 to 2009

A Vision for NA ServiceA Vision for NA Service

All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous are inspired by the primary All of the efforts of Narcotics Anonymous are inspired by the primary purpose of our groups. Upon this common ground we stand purpose of our groups. Upon this common ground we stand committed.committed.

Our vision is that one day:Our vision is that one day: Every addict in the world has the chance to experience our Every addict in the world has the chance to experience our

message in his or her own language and culture and find the message in his or her own language and culture and find the opportunity for a new way of life;opportunity for a new way of life;

Every member, inspired by the gift of recovery, experiences Every member, inspired by the gift of recovery, experiences spiritual growth and fulfillment through service;spiritual growth and fulfillment through service;

NA service bodies worldwide work together in a spirit of unity and NA service bodies worldwide work together in a spirit of unity and cooperation to support the groups in carrying our message of cooperation to support the groups in carrying our message of recovery;recovery;

Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a Narcotics Anonymous has universal recognition and respect as a viable program of recovery.viable program of recovery.

Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of our service Honesty, trust, and goodwill are the foundation of our service efforts, all of which rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher efforts, all of which rely upon the guidance of a loving Higher Power.Power.

50,000 meetings, 127 countries, 36 Languages50,000 meetings, 127 countries, 36 Languages

Our Lituature HistoryOur Lituature History

Narcotics Anonymous was founded in California Narcotics Anonymous was founded in California in in 1953 by Jimmy Kinnon and others.1953 by Jimmy Kinnon and others.

OnOn September 14, 1953, they received notice from the September 14, 1953, they received notice from the leadership of A.A. that they could use the A.A. steps leadership of A.A. that they could use the A.A. steps and traditions, but not the A.A. name. The organization and traditions, but not the A.A. name. The organization then officially changed its name to Narcotics then officially changed its name to Narcotics Anonymous.Anonymous.

In 1954, the first N.A. publication was printed, called In 1954, the first N.A. publication was printed, called the "Little Yellow Booklet". It contained the 12 steps, the "Little Yellow Booklet". It contained the 12 steps, and early drafts of several pieces that would later be and early drafts of several pieces that would later be included in subsequent literature. included in subsequent literature.

Groups didn’t pay attention to traditions, accepted Groups didn’t pay attention to traditions, accepted money from outside entities, religion came into it, money from outside entities, religion came into it, and NA nearly fell apart - there was a 4-month and NA nearly fell apart - there was a 4-month period in 1959 when there were no meetingsperiod in 1959 when there were no meetings

Jimmy Kinnon and others vowed to restart N.A., Jimmy Kinnon and others vowed to restart N.A., promising to hold to the traditions more closely.promising to hold to the traditions more closely.

The N.A. White Booklet was written in 1962, and The N.A. White Booklet was written in 1962, and became the heart of N.A. meetings and the basis became the heart of N.A. meetings and the basis for all subsequent N.A. literature. N.A. was called a for all subsequent N.A. literature. N.A. was called a "hip pocket program", because the entire literature "hip pocket program", because the entire literature could fit into a person's hip pocket. This booklet could fit into a person's hip pocket. This booklet was republished in 1966 as the N.A. White Book, was republished in 1966 as the N.A. White Book, and included the personal stories of many addicts.and included the personal stories of many addicts.

The 1970s was a period of rapid growth in N.A. A The 1970s was a period of rapid growth in N.A. A World Service Office was officially opened in 1977. World Service Office was officially opened in 1977. In 1971, the first N.A. World Conference was held.In 1971, the first N.A. World Conference was held.

In the late 70s and early 80s most of the IPs were In the late 70s and early 80s most of the IPs were written and the first basic text was published in written and the first basic text was published in 19831983

BooksBooks The The Basic TextBasic Text is divided into two books. Book one discusses the is divided into two books. Book one discusses the

basics of the N.A. program and the twelve steps and traditions. basics of the N.A. program and the twelve steps and traditions. Book two is composed of many personal stories.Book two is composed of many personal stories.

It Works: How and WhyIt Works: How and Why offers detailed discussion of the twelve offers detailed discussion of the twelve steps and traditions.steps and traditions.

The The Step Working GuidesStep Working Guides is a workbook with questions on each is a workbook with questions on each step often called the "green and gold" after its cover. step often called the "green and gold" after its cover.

Just For TodayJust For Today is a book of daily meditations with quotes from the is a book of daily meditations with quotes from the Basic Text and other NA approved literature including the Basic Text and other NA approved literature including the "Information Pamphlets"."Information Pamphlets".

SponsorshipSponsorship is an in-depth discussion of the role of sponsorship in is an in-depth discussion of the role of sponsorship in N.A., including the personal experiences of members. N.A., including the personal experiences of members.

Miracles HappenMiracles Happen describes the early years of the NA organization. describes the early years of the NA organization. This book contains many photographs of early literature and This book contains many photographs of early literature and meeting meeting

Basic TextBasic Text► While previous literature had been written by just a few While previous literature had been written by just a few

addicts - primarily Jimmy K – the N.A. Basic Text was written addicts - primarily Jimmy K – the N.A. Basic Text was written as a massive collaboration between hundreds of people. as a massive collaboration between hundreds of people.

► Seven World Literature Conferences in three years open to allSeven World Literature Conferences in three years open to all► 1st edition: In 1981 a version was distributed to all of N.A. for 1st edition: In 1981 a version was distributed to all of N.A. for

approval, and the text was approved with a 2/3 majority. Big approval, and the text was approved with a 2/3 majority. Big disagreement regarding a few key sentences - reprinted in disagreement regarding a few key sentences - reprinted in 1983 with the passages removed. 1983 with the passages removed.

► 2nd edition: 1983 - Restored the passages. 2nd edition: 1983 - Restored the passages. ► 3rd edition: 1983 - Removed the controversial passages. 3rd edition: 1983 - Removed the controversial passages. ► 4th edition: 1987 - Professional editors and writers, more 4th edition: 1987 - Professional editors and writers, more

consistent in tone and style. Improperly reviewed and had consistent in tone and style. Improperly reviewed and had many problemsmany problems

► 5th edition – 1988 corrected these problems5th edition – 1988 corrected these problems► 6th edition – Approved at WSC 2008 : 1st 10 chapter the 6th edition – Approved at WSC 2008 : 1st 10 chapter the

same, additon of personal stories with more diverse personal same, additon of personal stories with more diverse personal stories from around the world.stories from around the world.

► Available in over 30 different languages, millions have been Available in over 30 different languages, millions have been sold worldwidesold worldwide

BookletsBooklets

Little White BookLittle White Book The Group BookletThe Group Booklet 12 concepts for Na Service12 concepts for Na Service Introductory Guide to NA, revisedIntroductory Guide to NA, revised Behind the WallsBehind the Walls In Times of IllnessIn Times of Illness NA: A Resource in Your Community, 2008 NA: A Resource in Your Community, 2008

VersionVersion Public Information HandbookPublic Information Handbook

1976, 86: 1976, 86: IP #1 - Who, What, How, and Why – the – the readingsreadings

1976, 88:1976, 88: IP #2 - The Group – how a group is formed, – how a group is formed, the the positions, etc.positions, etc.

1976,84,921976,84,92 IP#5 Another Look – what addiction is notIP#5 Another Look – what addiction is not 1976, 86: 1976, 86: IP #6 Recovery and Relapse 1983: 1983: IP #7 - Am I an Addict? - Questionnaire - Questionnaire 1983: 1983: IP #8 - Just for Today – living in the day, the IP #8 - Just for Today – living in the day, the

reading Just for today, my thoughts etc reading Just for today, my thoughts etc 1983: 1983: IP #9 - Living the Program – daily inventory – daily inventory 1988:1988: IP #10 - Working Step Four in NA - before we had - before we had

the step working guidethe step working guide 1983,2004: 1983,2004: IP #11 - Sponsorship, Revised – before we IP #11 - Sponsorship, Revised – before we

had had sponsorship booksponsorship book 1983: 1983: IP #12 - The Triangle of Self-Obsession – human – human

development, resentment, anger and feardevelopment, resentment, anger and fear

1983, 2008: 1983, 2008: IP #13 - By Young Addicts, For Young Addicts 1983, 19921983, 1992 IP #14 - One Addict's Experience – a story. 1991: 1991: IP #15 - PI and the NA Member – now PR handbook – now PR handbook 1983: 1983: IP #16 - For the Newcomer – explains what NA is – explains what NA is 1991:1991: IP #17 - For Those in Treatment – tips for when you get outIP #17 - For Those in Treatment – tips for when you get out 1985: 1985: IP #19 - Self-AcceptanceIP #19 - Self-Acceptance 1985, 1996: 1985, 1996: IP #20 - H&I Service & the NA MemberIP #20 - H&I Service & the NA Member 1986, 1998: 1986, 1998: IP #21 - The Loner - Staying Clean in Isolation - IP #21 - The Loner - Staying Clean in Isolation -

GeographicGeographic 1986, 1987: 1986, 1987: IP #22 - Welcome to NA – introduction for new IP #22 - Welcome to NA – introduction for new

comerscomers 1987, 1988: 1987, 1988: IP #23 - Staying Clean on the Outside – tips IP #23 - Staying Clean on the Outside – tips 1987, 1988: 1987, 1988: IP #24 - Hey! What's the Basket For? – about the 7th IP #24 - Hey! What's the Basket For? – about the 7th

(USA)(USA) 1998: 1998: IP #25 - Self-Support: Principle & Practice – about the 7th IP #25 - Self-Support: Principle & Practice – about the 7th 1998: 1998: IP #26 - Accessibility for Those with Additional Needs – IP #26 - Accessibility for Those with Additional Needs –

physical disabilitiesphysical disabilities 2008: 2008: IP #27 - For the Parents or Guardians Of Young People in NAIP #27 - For the Parents or Guardians Of Young People in NA

What's New?What's New?

New service pamphlets 2007/2008 included:New service pamphlets 2007/2008 included: An Introduction to NA meetings An Introduction to NA meetings Disruptive and Violent BehaviorDisruptive and Violent Behavior Group Trusted Servants: Roles and Group Trusted Servants: Roles and

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Group Business MeetingsGroup Business Meetings NA Groups and MedicationNA Groups and Medication

20102010 In Times of Illness, revisedIn Times of Illness, revised

Coming SoonComing Soon Living CleanLiving Clean Service SystemService System

Worldwide: www.na.orgWorldwide: www.na.org All literatureAll literature Newsletters, bulletins etc.Newsletters, bulletins etc. Workshop resourcesWorkshop resources Locally developed literatureLocally developed literature

Na Ireland: www.na-ireland.orgNa Ireland: www.na-ireland.org NewsletterNewsletter Locally developed literatureLocally developed literature Coming soon: workshop resourcesComing soon: workshop resources

(for questions on this presentation ask Irene C., Regional (for questions on this presentation ask Irene C., Regional Literature Chair – email through website)Literature Chair – email through website)