In Narcotics Anonymous, we consider addiction to be an illness. We believe it is helpful to alleviate the guilt felt by addicts who come to NA and sometimes believe they are suffering from a weakness morality. When we talk about illness, we suggest the need to seek treatment, to take steps to recover, and to avoid relapse.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared addiction to be an illness.
Narcotics Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
This is a simple, spiritual, not religious, program for recovering addicts to support each other to stay clean. Narcotics Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
This is a simple, spiritual, not religious, program for recovering addicts to support each other to stay clean.
There are meetings all over Australia (and in over 120 other countries).
See the “How does it work?” question below for more …There are meetings all over Australia (and in over 120 other countries).
See the “How does it work?” question below for more …
Essentially, NA is made up of people recovering from addiction who support each other's recovery. Members meet regularly to share their recovery experiences. More experienced members (called sponsors) provide one-on-one support to newcomers.lés parrains ou marraines) aident les nouveaux de manière individuelle.
At the heart of the NA program are the twelve steps. These "steps" are suggestions summarizing a practical approach to recovery. By following these guidelines and working closely with other members, addicts learn to stop using drugs and cope with the challenges of daily life.
Narcotics Anonymous is not a religious organization and does not endorse any belief system. NA does, however, promote certain spiritual principles such as honesty, openness, trust, goodwill, and humility, which can be applied in everyday life. Each individual determines for themselves how they will put these principles into practice. Recovery in NA is not a quick fix that happens over a set period of time; it is an ongoing, personal process. Each member decides for themselves whether to join the organization and to recover at their own pace.
The meetings are places where you can find help and encouragement from people who have been through what you're going through now. Come to the meetings and you'll see addicts become sober and stay sober.
We hope this will help you believe that you too can achieve sobriety. Come as often as you like; it's free. The meetings help you find the strength to resist temptation and stay sober. Soon, you may be the one inspiring others to do the same. That's how it works: we all help each other accomplish things we can't do alone.
Members share their experiences and hopes on a voluntary basis. NA meetings are structured in various ways; they take place in premises rented by the groups and are facilitated (moderated) by members who take turns opening and closing the session.
NA meetings are held weekly, at the same time and place, usually in a public venue. Formats vary considerably; the most common include a speaker, a discussion on a topic, or a combination of both. The purpose of these meetings is always the same: to provide an environment conducive to personal recovery.
You are not obliged to speak during the meeting if you do not wish to. We encourage you to arrive a little early so you can speak with some members and pick up some free literature before the session begins.
Yes, you just need to show up; there's no need to register or book. The meetings are led by people who were once new members themselves, and you'll receive a warm welcome. If you arrive late, that's perfectly fine: sit down, listen, and talk to someone during the break or after the meeting.
No, NA is a spiritual program, not a religious one. The word "God" is mentioned in our literature because it's a practical way to name a "higher power" that anyone can freely conceive of.
The NA program is based on a set of spiritual principles, such as honesty, open-mindedness, and goodwill. Although our approach calls for finding and believing in a “higher power than ourselves,” this is a personal decision. Members choose their own concept: nature, a deceased loved one, or a religion. Many atheist or agnostic members consider the group itself or mutual support to be their higher power. Members are free to choose a belief that works for them, and there is no opposition to anyone’s choice. This unconditional freedom is one of the strengths of our program.
Anyone who wants to stop using drugs can become a member of Narcotics Anonymous. Membership is not limited to any particular drug: anyone who thinks they have a problem with drugs, whether legal (like alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs) or illegal, is welcome. Recovery focuses on the problem of addiction, not on a specific substance.
Addiction affects all kinds of people. In NA, you'll find men and women from all backgrounds, nationalities, social classes, and professions. Any addict can join us, regardless of age, sexual orientation, or beliefs.
Narcotics Anonymous offers its members a twelve-step recovery program. By practicing this program, we learn to recognize and accept our addiction, to ask for and receive help, to know ourselves better, to reconcile with our past, and to help others who wish to do the same.
Anonymity is the primary condition that allows people with addictions to attend meetings without fear of social or legal repercussions. We place great importance on confidentiality: what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting. This protection ensures a safe space. Social status or origin matters little; we use only our first names and are all equal.
No, the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. Many of our members attended meetings while still using and are now abstinent.
While abstinence is not required to attend meetings, we strongly encourage complete abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol. Our shared experience has taught us that total and sustained abstinence is a prerequisite for recovery.
We do not take a position on the use of prescription medications for the treatment of specific illnesses or psychiatric conditions. We encourage our members to consult qualified healthcare professionals on this matter.
Sponsorship is a personal and private relationship. It involves NA members who are in recovery and willing to support another member. Most members see a sponsor as someone who helps them work through the Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Principles. It's not necessarily a friend, but someone they can confide in about things they might find difficult to share publicly.
In most meetings, yes. You can attend meetings marked with an "O" in the list, whether to accompany a loved one or simply out of interest. If you attend as a non-dependent person, we ask that you refrain from making a financial contribution and from speaking so that members have priority.
"Closed" meetings (identified by an "F") are strictly reserved for those with substance use disorders or those who believe they have a substance use problem.
