NAR-ANON in MINNESOTA
Welcome to the Minnesota Nar-Anon site. We are friends and family members concerned about the drug use of someone we love. We meet once a week, follow the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon, and support each other by learning new tools to help us find serenity and peace of mind whether the addict is still using or not. WHAT IS NAR-ANON? Nar-Anon is an anonymous fellowship that is open to anyone concerned about the addiction problem of another person. Since we have similar concerns about our loved ones, we can learn from each other. We share our experience, strength, and hope, and, one day at a time, improve our lives. Membership is free. What is heard at meetings always remains confidential and anonymous. We hope you will join us as you search for a better way to live. WHAT IS ADDICTION? Addiction is a disease that has three aspects: mental, physical, and spiritual. It is a physical allergy that manifests itself in an obsession of the mind, compulsive behavior, and self-centeredness. The addict becomes powerless over the drug and loses the power to choose whether to use or not. We cannot change the person who is using drugs; we can only take charge of our own lives. We can find support for ourselves among others who understand what we are experiencing. In St. Paul: Monday evenings, 7 to 9 pm
WHERE and WHEN DO WE MEET?
In Burnsville: Thursday evenings, 7 to 8:30 pm
Mary Mother of the Church, Room 10 3333 Cliff Road (between Hwy 35E and Cedar Avenue) Burnsville, MN Enter from lower parking lot. Follow posted signs to the 2nd floor to Room 10. For more information about the Burnsville meeting call: Kathy or Doug at 952-892-1805.For more information about Nar-Anon call Kathie @ 612-379-4253.
If you know of other Nar-Anon meetings in Minnesota, please notify us, so we may include a listing of all Minnesota Nar-Anon meetings on this website.
While we do not endorse other organizations, a Twelve Step Co-Anon group meets at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hwy 7 and Texas Avenue in St. Louis Park every Tuesday evening, 7:30 to 9 pm. For more information about the Co-Anon meeting contact Lucille by e-mail at lstcanal@pclink.com. Or follow the link to their website (see links below).
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Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
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Nar-Anon is an organization where relatives and friends can find support for themselves as they struggle with their grief, fears, and anger about a loved one's use or abuse of drugs. The Nar-Anon program is based on a Twelve Step Program similar to the one written nearly 70 years ago by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to help people in recovery for alcoholism. Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Al-Anon, and Nar-Anon have all adopted (and slightly adapted) the Twelve Step program for their members.
The Twelve Step tradition has worked for millions of people all over the world who are in recovery from various addictive behaviors that make life unmanageable. The principles of the Twelve Steps are universal, applicable to everyone. In a nutshell, the Twelve Steps provide simple tools for good living. People in Nar-Anon use the Twelve Steps to help find a better way to live, and to help change their negative views of life to positive ones. The program works for Nar-Anon members whether or not the addict is still using. The steps are based on a set of spiritual, rather than religious, principles.
The only requirement for membership in Nar-Anon is that a person we love has a problem with drugs. Since a relationship with an addict is often chaotic, full of conflict, frightening, and lonely, we may isolate ourselves from our friends and relatives because we are ashamed about our loved one's drug use. Nar-Anon can help relatives and friends of addicts recover from the effects of living with (or being in a relationship with) an addicted person. This program works because, through the group, we each can share how we feel and support others who understand what is happening in our lives.
Nar-Anon, an international organization, is not affiliated with any other organization. Meetings are run by members. There are no dues, though a voluntary donation is accepted to help pay for the group's expenses (space and materials). The program is anonymous and confidential. We use our first names only. We do not tell anyone what we hear about another person at a meeting. In addition, we do not sit in judgement of others, but recognize the many different ways people live their lives and make their choices.
We believe that addiction is a disease. We did not cause the addiction. We cannot change the addict or his or her behavior. And we cannot cure the addict. However, we can learn a better way to live. We can find serenity and peace of mind in our own lives, even as we continue our relationship with the addict. We can learn from others when they share their experience, strength, and hope, and we can help others by sharing ours.
Nar-Anon's written materials are based on the shared experiences of its members. Through books, articles, and meditation-readings, members learn to apply the principles of the program, the Twelve Steps, and the slogans to their lives. At meetings, packets of Nar-Anon readings are available free to all newcomers, and some daily meditation readers may be available for purchase.
Here are some links to other helpful websites:
For information about Nar-Anon in Minnesota use the following:
if you want a quick reply, telephone Kathie at (612) 379-4253.
or email:
naranon_mn@yahoo.com
For more information about the national Nar-Anon program, to order Nar-Anon materials, or to start a meeting in your area contact the World Service Office Nar-Anon Family Groups, Inc.
at: 22527 Crenshaw Blvd #200B
Torrance, CA 90505
1-800-477-6291 or (310) 547-5800