An AA/NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
An AA/NA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the NA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Tradition 6 teaches us to be true to our primary purpose of the 12-step program and to ourselves. In meetings or committee work when we endorse any outside organizations besides our 12-step program, we divert the focus from the program. This includes similar 12-Step programs, such as AA should not endorse NA and vice versa because they are separate organizations. The program should never endorse clubhouses that might hold 12-Step meetings, treatment programs that treat substance use disorders, churches, community centers, hospitals, and other organizations even if meetings are held there. The 12-Step meetings just rent the space to meet, but do not promote these organizations. Likewise, the program should not endorse any causes. Taking a position on any outside issues can alienate people who do not agree with that cause. This even includes related issues, such as alcohol prohibition, drinking age limits or drug legalization initiatives. The program does not officially support or oppose these initiatives and it would be inappropriate to discuss these issues at meetings. It is fine to support whatever organizations you want outside of the meetings, but not at the meetings or as a representative of the program. Individuals both in and outside of the program need to recognize these issues have nothing to do with not taking a drink of drug today. Any other priorities beyond our primary purpose can be a distraction or diversion from our efforts to stay clean and sober and help others. Some of these other organizations do good work, for sure, but they also have business interests that fall outside of our goals of recovery. Issues of money, property and prestige can divert the group from the focus on the primary purpose. Although financial gain and fame seem like they could benefit the program, the pursuit of these could betray the groups in the long run. The Sixth Tradition is similar to a group version of the Tenth Step, where we take a regular inventory to stay on tract regarding the primary purpose. The quest for fame and fortune can trigger my insecurities and move my priorities away from recovery.