Courage to Change—a new meeting opens in Grand Forks.
The Nar-Anon Family Groups have weekly meetings to help relatives and friends of the addict avoid both rejection and over-protectiveness. Like alcoholism, drug dependence is considered to be a "family disease", and the family members should be encouraged to attend Nar-anon meetings as soon as a drug problem is suspected.
One of the tragic aspects of drug abuse is that the needs of the family are not being met. Nar-anon Family Groups are providing a major source of help to the relatives and friends of addicts. Nar-Anon offers a constructive program whereby its members learn to achieve peace of mind and gain hope for the future. They learn to accept addiction as a disease; to reduce family tension; and to encourage the addict to seek help for his or her own problem.
Nar-Anon is entirely self-supporting through voluntary contributions of its members. The identity of individuals and what is said at the meetings is carefully guarded by its members.
Do you need Nar-anon?
This questionnaire may help you make that decision, so take a few minutes to answer the questions honestly and with an open mind. After all, you are the only one who truly knows how you feel and what you live with on a day-to-day basis.
1. Do you find yourself making excuses, lying, or covering up for someone?
2. Do you have a reason not to trust a person?
3. Is it becoming difficult for you to believe his/her explanations?
4. Do you lie awake worrying about this person?
5. If it is your child; is he/she missing school often without your knowledge?
6. If it is your spouse, is he/she missing work and leaving bills to pile up?
7. Are your savings mysteriously disappearing?
8. Are the unanswered questions causing hostility and undermining your relationship?
9. Are you asking yourself, "What's wrong?" and "Is it my fault?"
10. Are normal family disagreements becoming hostile and violent?
11. Are your suspicions turning you into detective and are you afraid of what you might find?
12. Are you cancelling your social functions with vague excuses?
13. Are you becoming increasingly reluctant to invite friends to your home?
14. Is concern for this person causing you headaches, a knotty stomach, and extreme anxiety?
15. Is this person easily irritated by minute matters? Does your whole life seem like a nightmare?
16. Are you unable to discuss the situation with friends or relatives because of embarrassment?
17. Are you frustrated by ineffective attempts to control the situation?
18. Do you overcompensate and try not to make waves?
19. Do you keep trying to make things better and nothing helps?
20. Are the style and friends of this person changing? Do you ever think that they may be using drugs?
If you answered yes to four or more of these questions, Nar-Anon may help you find the answers you are looking for.
Grand Forks "Courage to Change" meetings are held Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the United Church (side entrance), 920 Central Ave.