What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous defines the organisation as a “nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem”. It has helped thousands of people across the globe recover from substance abuse and addiction.
Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) is an international association composed of self-help groups dedicated to assisting substance abusers who have committed to abstaining from drugs one day at a time. The group is patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and uses the famous twelve-step model first developed by the founders of A.A. Next to A.A., Narcotics Anonymous is the second 12-step organisation in the world and the largest one that focuses primarily on helping people suffering from drug addiction.
N.A. is made up of thousands of groups operating along the guidelines issued by the N.A. World Service Committee – holding meetings (over 76,000 weekly meetings across 143 countries according to 2023 statistics)) where recovering addicts can benefit from the support, advice, and fellowship of other N.A. members. The only requirement to become an N.A. member is “a desire to stop using”; there is no membership fee and no attendance fees; however, donations are appreciated.
The History of Narcotics Anonymous
An “open” meeting can be attended by anyone, even non-addicts; “closed” meetings are exclusively for self-confessed drug addicts and anyone who is convinced that they are struggling with substance abuse. In N.A. meetings, regular attendees of the same group are considered part of the “Home Group”. These members can express their ideas on matters such as how the group acts and the manner in which meetings are conducted.
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
The Principles of Narcotics Anonymous
N.A. is built on the foundation of The ‘Twelve Steps’ and ‘Twelve Traditions’, first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous, which created the organisation as a non-profit, self-supporting fellowship committed to helping people with substance abuse problems. As mentioned above, the only requirement to join is regular attendance at meetings and a firm resolve to stop using drugs. One key principle of the 12-Step programme is a commitment to a “higher power” or “God”. This is something that some attendees struggle with and consider inappropriate.
The strength of N.A. lies in its members’ commitment to helping each other achieve permanent abstinence, one day at a time, by giving advice and support during meetings. N.A. is grounded on the conviction that “any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live”. Anonymity is strictly observed at N.A. meetings and everything that transpires or is discussed is to remain confidential.
How do you Become a Member of Narcotics Anonymous?
An “open” meeting can be attended by anyone, even non-addicts; “closed” meetings are exclusively for self-confessed drug addicts and anyone who is convinced that they are struggling with substance abuse. There are no dues or fees for membership of N.A., the only requirement is a desire to stop taking drugs.
In N.A. meetings, regular attendees of the same group are considered part of the “Home Group”. These members can express their ideas on matters such as how the group acts and the manner in which meetings are conducted.
What to Expect at a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting?
NA meetings do not follow a strict format. Some sessions may focus on N.A. literature while others may have “open sharing” which gives attendees the chance to share their thoughts and experiences. Many N.A. groups devote a regular portion of the meeting to this activity. Sharing is typically done in “round-robin” fashion where participants sit in a circle, and each gets a turn to speak after the person next to him is done. Although attendees are not obliged to share, they are encouraged to do so.
Does Narcotics Anonymous Work?
Attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings is no guarantee of sobriety and recovery. However, since its formation, N.A. has helped countless individuals across the world attain and sustain abstinence, and it is commonly recommended as part of the recovery process following a stay in residential rehabilitation (rehab).
Finding a Meeting Group of Narcotics Anonymous
There are N.A. groups all over the UK. Attendance is not area-specific; meetings are open to anyone coming from any location. Some people go to the meetings near their area, while others prefer to join N.A. groups that meet in venues far from their homes where they are less likely to encounter people they know. You can check out the list of meeting times and locations on the website (www.ukna.org), then all you need to do is show up.
Advantages of Narcotics Anonymous
For recovering addicts, support and understanding are crucial. Being in fellowship with individuals who share the same overwhelming struggle is powerful. At N.A. meetings, addicts receive the motivation and strength they need as they attempt or go through recovery through the support, advice and fellowship of the members and their sponsors.
The free membership, the supportive atmosphere in N.A. meetings, and the strict adherence to the rule of confidentiality, make N.A. a highly inclusive organisation where members don’t have to worry that outsiders would find out about their involvement with the group. Besides the NHS, N.A. is the most convenient source of help available for addicts with its numerous weekly meetings taking place in various locations in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Narcotics Anonymous has groups that meet on a weekly basis. It is made up of recovered and recovering addicts who mutually provide support, advice and fellowship. These meetings are free and the only requirement is the commitment to permanently stop abusing drugs.
There are N.A. meetings held all throughout the UK. For a list of locations and other details, please visit the website at https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/aa-meetings/find-a-meeting.
Meetings are generally conducted in support-group style with attendees sharing their experience, strength and hope and offering support to one another under conditions of total confidentiality (referred to in the fellowship as ‘the yellow card’). There are variations when it comes to content from one type of meeting to another although sharing is typically the format of choice in most groups.
No. Attending a meeting will not result in your being committed to anything.
Due to the sensitivity of the issue of addiction, anonymity and confidentiality are of prime importance for N.A. as an organisation. If you meet people you know at an N.A. meeting, respect their anonymity and keep the fact that you saw them in attendance, confidential. Remember, it works both ways so deal with them the way you want them to deal with you. Don’t forget they are there at the meeting for exactly the same reasons that you are – recovery and a solution to their addiction!
There are no dues of fees for membership of N.A., the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop taking drugs.
No. N.A. focuses on the problem of addiction and its definition of “drug” extends to any mind-altering substance and alcohol is one of them.
Anyone who has a desire to stop using drugs and is willing to commit to the 12 step recovery programme can become an N.A. member.
To become a member of N.A., you just simply need to attend meetings regularly.
N.A. believes that there is no cure for drug addiction. Still, it is possible to remain clean from drugs through regular meeting attendance and working the 12 step programme. The support and assistance of other members make this possible.
No, it isn’t. N.A. is not run nor affiliated with any religion, sect or denomination.
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