Narcotics Anonymous For Addiction Recovery

Are you struggling with an addiction? Have you tried to stop, but found that you can’t?

Addiction to drugs and alcohol can feel like a never-ending nightmare. You’re stuck in a cycle of using and then feeling guilty and ashamed, only to use again. It feels like you’re alone in this fight, but you’re not. addiction is a disease that affects millions of people each year.

In your search for addiction treatment, you may have come across Narcotics Anonymous or NA. NA is a 12-step program for addiction recovery that has helped millions of people reclaim their lives. There is no fee to attend or join, and there are meetings all over the world.

If you are interested in learning more, read on for everything you need to know about Narcotics Anonymous.

What Is Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a 12-step program for addiction recovery. This is a support group for people who want to recover from substance abuse and gain stable long-term recovery. Narcotics Anonymous has been adopted by many countries. You can find a meeting in many cities or even attend virtual meetings.

This support group was founded in 1953 in Los Angeles but was never specific to any substance addiction. There are no qualification standards for individuals who want to join the support group sessions. The only requirement for membership is having the desire to quit using drugs.

The program is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program. The main difference between the two is that AA focuses on recovery from alcoholism. On the other hand, NA focuses on any type of addiction. NA uses a peer support system to help addicts achieve and maintain sobriety.

What Are the Expectations of Narcotics Anonymous?

For the group sessions, it can either be done with or without the presence of a  speaker. The speaker can inspire the members to pursue a sober life or the session can directly proceed to a group discussion.

All members of Narcotics Anonymous have similar experiences, so new members should never feel scared. Each member is allowed to share their experiences and insights about overcoming addiction during the group discussion.

Sharers should never be scared of receiving feedback from others, as it will always be constructive. During group discussions, no one is allowed to ask questions or interrupt the member sharing. Members can do feedback and casual conversations during break times.

There’s no set limit to how long someone can share. However, members must be considerate of others who also want a chance to speak.

What Is the Difference Between Close and Open Meetings?

The difference between close and open meetings is that open meetings allow people who are not addicts to join. They can attend as long as they play an important role in the addict’s life. These people are allowed to be in the group meeting to provide support for the addict.

Meanwhile, closed meetings are only for addicts and discussions are usually about routine matters or private matters.

What Are the Common Terms that New Members Must Know on the First Meeting?

New members will be introduced to the group. Afterwards, they’ll be given an overview of the rules, principles, and common terms used for group discussions. Below are some of the more frequently used terms:

• Sharing- The process where members must offer their experiences and advice relevant to overcoming addiction.
• IPS – This refers to Initials for Information Pamphlets
• Relapse – This is the event where a person turns back to using the abused substance.
• Higher Power – This refers to a spiritual and passionate authority outside of the person’s system. The Higher Power provides strong moral, emotional, and spiritual support for recovery.
• Trusted Servants – These refer to the members of the service committee of Narcotics Anonymous. The committee is designated to provide service support on the operation of the group discussions.
• NA and Religion – NA is never associated with a specific religion or denomination. This is to keep an open and harmless atmosphere for all types of people. Religion is just used to strengthen the faith of all members but it never enforces a certain religion. Likewise, there is no discrimination when it comes to religion and belief.
• Newcomer – This pertains to the new member of the group.
• Addict – This is a technical association for the members of the NA group. But it does not entail that the members are still using it.
• Sponsor – This refers to the seasoned and long-time members of the NA group. They provide substantial insights and advice to the new and existing young members of the NA group.
• Basic Text – This serves as the handbook of Narcotics Anonymous which contains the rules and guiding principles of their operation.

What Are the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous?

The inclusion of the 12 step program made Narcotics Anonymous more effective in facilitating the recovery from addiction. Here are the twelve steps of NA.

1. The admission of being powerless over addiction, which greatly ruined one’s life.
2. The awareness of the presence of a higher power that shall help in the recovery from addiction.
3. Allowing the higher power or God to take control of one’s life.
4. Doing a moral inventory of oneself.
5. Self-realization and admittance of one’s faults and mistakes to God, to oneself, and to other people.
6. Preparing oneself for the higher power to remove all faults and shortcomings.
7. Being humble in letting the higher power improve oneself by the removal of one’s shortcomings.
8. Creating a list of names for the people we have done wrong and asking for a reconciliation.
9. Humbly asking for forgiveness from the people listed in number 8 in any instance, except when it can harm them.
10. Continue inventory and assessment of oneself for mistakes and shortcomings, and humbly recognize newly committed mistakes.
11. Use of prayer and meditation for spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement.
12. Once spiritual enlightenment and sobriety are achieved by the client, he or she will share that success with others for inspiration.

Is Narcotics Anonymous Right for You?

Recovering from addiction is a daunting task, and it would be hard to deal with this alone. Joining Narcotics Anonymous can be an excellent choice. It provides spiritual and moral support from people who share the same condition.

Likewise, those who have successfully recovered from addiction using NA share their experiences and endeavors to serve as inspiration for change.

NA can be a great complement to other forms of addiction treatment like therapy or medication. In some instances, it might not be enough as a stand-alone treatment. However, it provides a great foundation for long-term sobriety and recovery.

We recommend speaking to an addiction treatment specialist. Depending on the drug you’re addicted to, you may need detox and other specialized care before beginning a 12-step program.

Call our helpline and learn more about the best drug rehab in Southern California.