First is the classification of whether a meeting is considered ‘open’ or ‘closed’. Open meetings mean that anyone is welcome to attend, including non-drug users such as friends and family members. Closed meetings, on the other hand, are restricted in attendance only to those who are struggling with addiction or otherwise have a drug use problem. Many members find deeper connections and further their recovery journey through sponsorship.
There were some other changes to the structure of the book, including the layout and flow of the book, while keeping the original message clear and unchanged. From the beginnings of NA, the need for official NA literature was evident. Unfortunately, the process of creating and approving official NA literature has seen some of the most contentious periods of debate within the fellowship. Some meetings offered AA literature at meetings, while others considered writing their own books on recovery. One group even planned to print a bootlegged version of AA’s Big Book with every instance of the word “alcohol” replaced with “drugs”. The need for a unified text approved by the fellowship’s “group conscience” was recognized, and in October 1979 the first NA World Literature Conference was held in Wichita, Kansas.
Service
NA and other support groups work best in combination with treatment. You can easily find a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in your area by using the meeting search tool on the NA website. This tool gives you access to a complete meeting list for your city and state. Closed meetings make it possible for members to speak openly and honestly.
The higher power can be God, or any other spiritual entity or concept you believe in. While you may struggle with this step if you’re not religious, it’s intended to be an opportunity to let go of the things beyond your control and start working on the things within your control. It is not affiliated with any religion, government, or other organization, even if the meeting is held in a church or other religious space. This step involves acknowledging the addiction and the damaging impact it has had on the individual’s life. Instead, the purpose of NA is to share the trials and triumphs that come with addiction and recovery.
For many members of NA, the program is the only thing they’ve found that actually worked. Anyone who has dealt with addiction knows that it is a struggle that can seem hopeless at times. There are also no costs to attend a meeting, and non-members are asked not to contribute to the voluntary collection of money that keeps things running. Non-members can, however, purchase a “Basic Text” from the group.
Finding the right tools is essential to managing addiction; NA is just one of many tools to recover. You may gain new members every week, and some may not show up at all. Members can share their experiences during NA meetings for 5 minutes or so.
Sponsorship involves partnering with a more experienced member who can provide one-on-one support, guidance, and encouragement. This personal touch adds another layer of accountability and motivation, proving invaluable for many in sustaining their sobriety. If you are ready to work toward recovery from drugs or alcohol, treatment options are available to help. Twelve-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous can be helpful, but you should start by talking to your doctor about your first steps.
How Effective is Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for Drug Addiction?
- Whether you are suffering from an addiction to marijuana, alcohol, heroin, or crystal meth, you can find long-term sobriety with the right help.
- While this step specifically references God, it notes that it is the individual’s understanding of their own spiritual beliefs that will guide their recovery.
- The program emphasizes spirituality, resilience, and peer support.
- With a global network of groups, you’re always within reach of someone who understands, making continuous commitment to sobriety a shared goal.
- If you are preparing to quit, medications are also available that can help you detox and manage your symptoms of withdrawal.
Narcotics Anonymous allows its chapters to run almost completely autonomously. As a result, there is bound to be some variation in how meetings are conducted. Aside from following the basic principles, meeting groups are allowed to adapt and change as they wish and conduct themselves in various ways (more on that later). However, there are still plenty of things that these meetings have in common, namely how the beginning and end of meetings are conducted. If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the SoberNation.com hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. Each step builds on the previous one, facilitating gradual and sustainable recovery.
NA started in California in the 1950s as an offshoot of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, it holds more than 70,000 regular meetings in 144 countries. There are no membership fees, and NA is an independent organization with no links to any treatment centers or religious groups.
JFT Is Not a Substitute for Therapy Services
There may be times during the recovery process when you make mistakes or relapse. This step requires you to stay vigilant on a daily basis and admit to any faults you make along the way so you can maintain your spiritual progress. This step requires you to make a list of all those who were harmed by your substance abuse and prepare yourself to apologize and make amends to all of them.
What is Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?
Confusingly, in 1962, the Salvation Army started a group also called “Narcotics Anonymous” that followed a different “13-step” program, but this program soon died out. Members of the program learned what was effective and what was famous fetal alcohol syndrome not. Relapse rates declined over time and friction between NA groups began to decrease.
