Note: If you are a professional seeking information about Narcotics Anonymous, please click
here
for further information.
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- What is Narcotics Anonymous?
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N.A. is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may
solve their common problem
and help |
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others to recover from addiction. |
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The core of the Narcotics Anonymous recovery program is the Twelve Steps, which include admitting there is a problem,
seeking help, engaging in a
thorough |
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self-examination, confidential self-disclosure, making amends for harm done, and
helping drug addicts who want to recover. |
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- How do I know if I have a problem?
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This is a question only you can answer. All of us have preconceived ideas about what an addict is. There
is nothing shameful about being an addict once
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you begin to take positive action. If you can identify with our problems,
you may be able to identify with our solution. |
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- I think I might have a problem, what do I need to do to get help?
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If you need immediate help, you can call our 24 hr. helpline at (704) 366-8980 and speak with a recovering addict. We also suggest that you attend one of our |
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meetings as soon as possible and let someone there know that you are new and
seeking help. |
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- I think one of my family members has a problem with drugs, what can I do?
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It is our experience that there is not much we can do other than suggest that person go to an N.A. meeting.
It is up to that person whether or not they wish |
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to admit they have a problem and are willing to seek help. The person with the
problem can call our 24 hr.
helpline (704) 366-8980 and speak |
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to a recovering addict who may be able to offer more
assistance. |
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- What happens at an N.A. meeting?
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Members share their successes and challenges in overcoming active addiction and living drug-free productive lives through
application of the
principles |
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contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. |
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- Does it cost anything to attend?
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There are no dues or fees for N.A. membership. An N.A. group will usually have a collection during the meeting to
cover expenses, such as
rent, coffee, etc., and |
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to this all members are free to contribute as much or as little as they wish. |
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- Can anyone attend N.A. meetings?
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There are two types of N.A. meetings, open meetings and closed meetings. Anyone may attend an open N.A.
meeting regardless of
whether they have a problem |
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or not. This includes family members, professionals, students, etc.
Only those who think they may have a problem with drugs or may consider
themselves |
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addicts may attend
closed meetings. This is to insure the anonymity of members who wish to have their identity remain private. |
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- Is N.A. only for "narcotics" addicts?
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No. We believe our problem is not the use of any specific drug or group of drugs. Our problem is the disease of addiction, and
our program is one |
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of abstinence from all drugs. |
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You are an N.A. member if and when you say so. The only requirement for N.A. membership is a desire to stop using. |
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- Is N.A. a religious organization?
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No. N.A. is not associated with nor endorses any religious organizations. |
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- If I go to a meeting, does that commit me to anything?
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No. N.A. does not keep membership files, or attendance records. You do not have to reveal anything about yourself.
No one will bother you if
you |
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don’t want to come back. |
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- Does N.A. operate Detox or Treatment Centers?
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No. Although it may be the experience of some of our members to have attended one or both of these types of facilities,
N.A. remains simply a
fellowship |
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of men and women helping one another recover from the disease of addiction. |
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- Should I go to a Detox or Treatment Center?
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We cannot answer that question. Only you can decide whether or not to attend a facility. N.A. neither deters or
recommends that one attend
Facilities |
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of these types. |
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- What do you mean when you say "clean"?
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"Clean" is a term that refers to being abstinent or free of any type of mind or mood altering chemicals. |
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- Does a person have to be clean to attend an N.A. meeting?
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Newcomers don't have to be clean when they get here but after the first meeting we suggest that they keep coming back and
come back clean. We want the |
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place where we recover to be a safe place. For that reason we ask that no drugs or
paraphernalia be brought to any meeting. |
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- How many meetings do I have to go to?
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Attend as many NA meetings as you can and collect a list of member's phone numbers to use regularly, especially when the
urge for drugs is strong. |
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The number of meetings you attend is up to you, however we suggest that newcomers attend at least
a meeting a day for the first 90 days. |
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- Why do people continue to go to meetings after they are cured?
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We in N.A. believe there is no such thing as a cure for addiction. We can never return to normal using, and our
ability to stay away from
drugs depends on maintaining |
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our physical, mental, and spiritual health. This we can achieve
by going to meetings
regularly and putting into practice what we learn there. |
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In addition, we find it helps us to stay clean
if we help other addicts.
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A sponsor is another member of N.A. who has experience in working the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. Someone who is willing
to build a supportive, |
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one-on-one relationship with a newcomer in order to help that person understand and work the
Twelve Steps. Someone in who
we can confide
and share |
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things we may not feel comfortable sharing in a meeting. |
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All you have to do is ask. We suggest you go to meetings with an open mind and listen to others and what they are sharing.
When you hear someone's
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story that you can relate to, ask for that person's phone number and tell them you are looking for a
sponsor. We suggest women
get women sponsors |
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and men get men sponsors. |
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