NA stands for Narcotics Anonymous, a global, community-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery from drug addiction. This non-profit fellowship provides a structured program for men and women seeking freedom from the compulsive use of mind-altering substances. The organization offers a path to long-term abstinence, operating on a simple, spiritual framework designed to foster personal growth and sustained recovery.
The Foundation of Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous was founded in 1953 in the Los Angeles area of California, primarily by Jimmy Kinnon, who recognized the need for a dedicated fellowship for drug addiction. The organization was directly inspired by the principles and structure of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which had already established a successful model for recovery from alcoholism. Early members adapted the AA program, changing the wording to focus on the disease of addiction itself, rather than a specific substance. This focus on addiction as a disease became a defining characteristic of the program.
The primary purpose of NA is to create a supportive environment where members can help one another stay clean from all drugs. It operates as a self-supporting entity, declining outside contributions to maintain its autonomy and focus on its core mission.
Core Principles and Program Structure
The operational core of Narcotics Anonymous is the Twelve Steps, which outline a program for personal recovery leading to a spiritual awakening. These steps guide members through a process of self-examination, admission of faults, making amends to those harmed, and ongoing spiritual practice. The first three steps involve admitting powerlessness over addiction, finding hope that recovery is possible, and making a decision to turn one’s life over to the care of a Higher Power. This Higher Power is understood by the individual member, and the program is spiritual, not religious, allowing for any personal conception of a guiding force.
Later steps involve a thorough moral inventory, sharing it with another person, and becoming ready to have personal defects removed. The process culminates in carrying the message of recovery to other addicts and practicing these principles in all areas of life. Members often work through these steps with a sponsor, an experienced member who offers guidance and support.
Complementing the Twelve Steps are the Twelve Traditions, which provide guidelines for how the groups function and relate to the outside world. The Traditions emphasize group unity, self-support, and the maintenance of a non-professional status. They ensure that the focus remains on the group’s single primary purpose: to carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers.
Participation and Anonymity
Attending meetings is the fundamental way members participate in Narcotics Anonymous, where they share their experiences, strength, and hope with one another. Meetings vary in format but often include readings from NA literature and time for members to share their stories of recovery and challenges.
The fellowship recognizes two basic types of meetings: open and closed. Open meetings are available to anyone interested in the program, including family, friends, students, or professionals, though verbal participation is typically limited to addicts. Closed meetings are reserved exclusively for those who identify as addicts or those who think they may have a drug problem. This distinction provides a safe and confidential space for members to share personal experiences without concern for outside judgment or observation.
Anonymity is a core principle in NA, serving as the spiritual foundation of all its traditions. It ensures that the focus remains on the principles of the program rather than on the personalities of individual members. This practice protects members’ privacy and fosters an environment of equality, which is essential for emotional honesty and recovery.
Scope of Membership and Distinction
Membership in Narcotics Anonymous is free, and the organization has no dues or fees. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs. This prerequisite ensures that the fellowship is open to anyone seeking recovery, regardless of their background or the specific substances they may have used.
NA’s approach is universal, focused on the disease of addiction itself, rather than on a particular drug or class of drugs. Within the fellowship, alcohol is considered a drug, and complete abstinence from all mind-altering substances is encouraged as the foundation for recovery. This broad scope distinguishes NA by making it clear that all addicts are welcome. The program’s inclusive nature reflects the belief that the problem is addiction, and the solution is a shared path to recovery.