Narcotics Anonymous

Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community

What is Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a large community where people with an addiction take care of each other and work the 12 steps. NA meetings, whether in-person or through online discussions, encourage growth and the self-discipline needed for the emotional healing of their addiction. These groups aim to inspire and provide a path to recovery based on community support and spiritual transformation. Often, members have a sponsor to help them along who has followed the 12 steps and achieved recovery. 

NA meetings encourage members to share personal stories and support each other, like the format used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Following in the footsteps of Alcoholics Anonymous, NA shares the foundation of recovery, anonymity, and support through its members. However, NA focuses support on members who seek to overcome their addiction to other drugs, not just alcohol.

The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous

People in NA programs follow the same 12-step system as AA. As found on the Narcotics Anonymous official website, the traditional 12 steps are:

  1. We are recognizing our inability to control alcohol and the resulting upheaval in our lives.
  2. We are embracing the conviction that a higher power has the potential to restore our sanity.
  3. We are making a deliberate choice to surrender our will and existence to the care of God as we comprehend Him.
  4. We are conducting a thorough and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitting to God, ourselves, and another person the precise nature of our wrongs.
  6. I am ready to have God eliminate all these character defects.
  7. We are humbly requesting Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Compiling a list of individuals we have harmed and be willing to make amends to all of them.
  9. Making direct amends to those we’ve harmed, except when doing so would cause harm to them or others.
  10. Continuously taking personal inventory and promptly admitting when we are wrong.
  11. We seek to enhance our conscious connection with God through prayer and meditation, asking only for understanding His will and the power to execute it.
  12. Following a spiritual awakening from these steps, striving to convey this message to fellow alcoholics and incorporating these principles into every aspect of our lives.

Narcotics Anonymous and Religion

NA is not based on religion, although the original language in the 12 steps used in AA and NA refers to “God” or “He.” Nowadays, the source of strength to its members is referred to as a “Higher Power,” whatever that may mean to each individual. Sharing personal stories is an inspirational basis where group members do not have to feel alone in their struggles.

NA and the success of the 12 steps are attributed to the way they can affect behavioral changes in the addict and offer a changed life of emotional renewal through steady discipline and honesty. No matter the type of substance abuse or particular drug, the whole behavior is called addiction, including any medication. No matter what kind of drug the addict is addicted to, as multiple substance abuse can be shared, NA does not specify but refers to it as “the addiction.”

The 12 Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous

The 12 Traditions detail the actual structure of the meetings; its guiding principles follow the original basis of Alcoholics Anonymous. These 12 Traditions protect the integrity of the 12 steps and honor each member’s dignity and necessary anonymity.

  • Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on NA unity.
  • For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority— a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
  • The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.
  • Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or NA.
  • Each group has one primary purpose—to convey the message to the addict who still suffers.
  • An NA group ought never to 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.
  • Every NA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  • Narcotics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  • NA, as such, ought never to be organized, but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  • Narcotics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the NA name should never be drawn into public controversy.
  • Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we must maintain personal anonymity at the press, radio, and film levels.
  • Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Types of NA and AA Meetings

12-step meetings like NA, Overeaters Anonymous, and Emotions Anonymous offer support by sharing personal struggles and wisdom, emphasizing that recovery is possible. Meetings are flexible, autonomous, and inclusive, welcoming newcomers, family members, and those seeking support. Groups are available in Southern California and online.

Big Book Meetings

A discussion about the Big Book, a large volume of literature that goes in-depth with the traditions and steps and the stories of people with an addiction who have recovered. Some consider it one of the most important books ever written in the United States. 

Literature groups

Similar to Big Book meetings, a discussion is based on a readout of approved literature.

Meditation Meeting

A support group for deeper reflection, followed by a readout, meditation, and a discussion.

Step Study

These meetings specifically focus on one or more of the particular steps of the 12 steps.

Traditions Meetings

These meetings focus on the 12 Traditions. It is the way AA and NA maintain their integrity as groups.

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