Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit, international, community-based organization for recovering addicts active in over 113 countries. Narcotics Anonymous members learn from one another how to live drug-free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.
If you have considered recommending Narcotics Anonymous to someone who has a drug problem, you may have a few questions about our organization. This page is designed to answer those questions.
AA helped start NA in 1953 by giving NA’s founding members permission to adapt their traditions and steps. The primary difference between the two programs is that AA’s focus is on alcohol and alcoholism, whereas NA’s focus is on recovery from addiction. In NA we believe that the use of drugs, including alcohol, is but a symptom of the disease of addiction.
The easiest way to find meetings is by contacting local area and regional helplines or websites. You can also find meetings by visiting the NA World Services website www,na.org. Since our members provide the data for the meeting locator, we cannot guarantee the information is completely accurate.
Adolescents are welcome at all NA meetings. If there are meetings in a local NA community specifically designated for young people, the meeting schedule will identify those meetings as such. although any NA member is welcome at any NA meeting, specially designated youth meetings can help younger addicts find their peers.
Yes, they are more than welcome to attend NA meetings. Many of our members actually came to meetings while still using drugs and are now drug-free and recovering today. Often, if a member is still using, he or she will be asked to refrain from speaking during a meeting. Instead, these addicts are encouraged to speak with members before or after the meeting.
Most groups welcome children who are behaved and under the supervision of a parent. Contact the local area helpline for information about if a group is child friendly.
“Clean” is a term that refers to being abstinent from all drugs including alcohol.
You are an NA member if and when you say so. the only requirement is the desire to stop using.
There are no fees or dues for NA membership. an NA group will usually have a collection during the meeting to cover costs of rent, supplies, etc. Members are free to contribute as much or as little as they wish.
No. The NA programs are based on a set of spiritual principles that are not associated with a particular religion.NA does not oppose or endorse any religion. The experience of our members has shown that the spiritual principles work for all members, from the devoutly religious to the atheist and agnostic.
NA’s message is all-inclusive with respect to any mood-changing, mind-altering sustenance. Our membership includes people whose primary drugs of abuse were prescribed, and who have found recovery through NA. NA is appropriate for any individual who has a desire to stop using drugs.
We cannot answer that question. Only you can decide whether to attend a facility. NA neither deters nor recommends any treatment facility.
NA meetings are held at various locations from churches to clubhouses. However, NA is not affiliated with any of these facilities.
Our members come from all walks of life. Anyone with a desire to stop using drugs may join our fellowship. All members have two things in common: the disease of addiction and the desire to stop using. We concentrate on our similarities, not our differences.