Cocaine Anonymous (CA) offers a supportive environment for individuals seeking freedom from addiction to cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. This fellowship operates through a worldwide network of peer support groups, providing a shared path to sustained sobriety. Based on the widely recognized 12 Steps program, CA provides a community where personal experiences of addiction and recovery can be shared without judgment.
The Core Mission of Cocaine Anonymous
The central purpose of Cocaine Anonymous is to help its members achieve and maintain abstinence from all mind-altering substances. This non-profit, non-denominational fellowship is entirely self-supporting, focusing solely on the recovery of its members. The only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop using cocaine and all other drugs and alcohol.
The fellowship’s guiding principles are the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, which offer a framework for personal spiritual growth and group organization. While the program embraces a spiritual path, it does not endorse any specific religion, allowing members to define a Higher Power as they understand it. This structure provides a consistent method for behavioral change and emotional healing.
What Happens During a CA Meeting?
A typical CA meeting is structured to ensure a consistent, focused, and welcoming experience for all attendees. The meeting is generally led by a volunteer member, often called the chairperson, who follows a specific format. Most meetings begin with a moment of silence and the reading of foundational texts, such as the CA Preamble and the Twelve Steps.
The chairperson introduces the meeting’s specific style, which could be a Speaker Meeting or a Discussion Meeting. In a Speaker Meeting, one or two members share their personal story of addiction and recovery for an extended time. Discussion Meetings open the floor for several members to share briefly on a specific topic, such as a Step, a Tradition, or a general recovery theme. Sharing is voluntary and focused on experience, strength, and hope, avoiding any commentary on what others have said.
Practical Details for First-Time Attendees
Anonymity forms the spiritual foundation of the fellowship and protects all attendees. This means what is shared in the room stays in the room, ensuring a safe space for members to speak honestly without fear of public disclosure. Members maintain anonymity at the level of press, radio, and television to keep the focus on the program’s principles rather than the personalities involved.
For first-time attendees, it is helpful to know the distinction between meeting types listed on schedules. An “Open” meeting is available to anyone interested in the CA program, including non-addicts or family members. A “Closed” meeting is reserved only for those who identify as addicts and have a desire to stop using.
Meeting etiquette asks that attendees silence their phones and avoid “cross-talk,” which means refraining from interrupting or commenting on another person’s share. There are no dues or fees for membership; a basket is usually passed for the Seventh Tradition, which is a voluntary contribution to cover rent and literature. As a newcomer, you will not be pressured to speak, and you may simply introduce yourself by your first name or pass when it is your turn.
Finding and Attending a Meeting
Locating a Cocaine Anonymous meeting is straightforward, with current schedules available online through the official CA World Services website. These resources allow users to search for meetings by location, day of the week, and meeting type (Open or Closed). The fellowship offers both physical, in-person meetings held in local community centers or churches and virtual meetings.
Virtual meetings are common and often conducted via video conferencing platforms or dedicated phone lines, making the program accessible regardless of geographic location. Checking the local CA area website is the best way to get the exact location, time, and specific format before arriving. Many local CA groups also operate a helpline that a newcomer can call to speak with a member about getting to a first meeting.