Narcotics Anonymous: How It Works and How Effective is it?

After the pair helped another patient get sober the foundation of AA was set. Measuring success regarding specific data is challenging because NA members are anonymous. This means an NA member might be sober during data collection, but relapse occurs weeks, months, or years later. Upon your first visit to an NA meeting, you’ll receive a key tag. Over time, you’ll be given another after 30 days as a token of your hard work. You’ll receive more periodically whenever you attend a meeting.

Studies show that NAs have been effective at helping people maintain sobriety. It’s best to work with an addiction specialist to receive the proper combination of treatments for your condition. Because of this, Kinnon recognized how a 12-step program could help people with drug use problems.

Seeing how AA helped so many alcoholics get free from their addiction, people saw a twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous need for those who struggled with drug addiction. Based on the successes of AA, NA was formed to specifically help those who were addicted to drugs other than alcohol. They are called 12-step programs because there are 12 steps members are expected to work through.

NA Meeting Rules to Keep In Mind

Another difference between AA and NA is the fact that one focuses on a legal substance (alcohol) and the other focuses on all substances, many of which are illegal. This difference tends to draw different types of people to each meeting. For those who are trying to decide which approach works for them, they should consider that fact before rebuilding life after addiction choosing which program to attend. At first glance, it may seem as though your choice between AA and NA should be an obvious one. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll realize that’s not the case at all. While there are some similarities between the two groups, there are also some slight differences.

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When you attend AA, you are attending a group that is based upon helping people who struggle with alcoholism. NA focuses on helping people who struggle with all drugs, including alcohol. In addition, there is a small difference in each group’s approach to The Twelve Step Program, and it all begins with the very first step.

Similarities of AA and NA

The group’s facilitator will ask at the beginning of the meeting if there are any new members in attendance. This is your chance to raise your hand and introduce yourself. There will be people at the meeting who are also new to the program. Virtual meetings are an option if you’re concerned about COVID. Many meetings are hybrid, so you can choose to attend in person or remotely.

Treatment Options for Drug Addiction

Here at Northpoint Recovery, we recognize the fact that AA and NA are both important. Both of these organizations have been instrumental in people’s lives. In fact, there are many people who feel they could never have recovered from their addictions without them. Even so, it’s important to recognize the fact that a solid drug or alcohol rehab program is necessary for recovery.

1. Some people in NA express that they are more apt to rely on themselves to overcome the “addiction” than rely on a Higher Power (as in AA) to overcome a “substance”.
2. Among these recovery and aftercare programs is joining a support group to share experiences and find strength in other people’s recovery journeys.
3. There’s a good chance there’s an AA or NA meeting happening near right you now.
4. AA was founded in Akron, Ohio in 1935 by New York stockbroker Bill W.

Program Membership

NA started in California in the 1950s as an offshoot of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Today, it holds more than 70,000 regular meetings in 144 countries. There are no membership fees, and NA is an independent organization with no links to any treatment centers or religious groups. For people struggling with opioid use, one recovery tool that’s been available for decades is Narcotics Anonymous (NA). This free program provides support in the form of regular group meetings and fellowship with other people with addictions. Located in Boise, Idaho, Northpoint Recovery is proud to offer quality drug and alcohol detox as well as alcohol and drug rehab and mental health treatment programs in the Treasure Valley.

These steps guide the alcoholic into growing spiritually, becoming aware of the hurt and pain they have caused to themselves as well as to others, and making amends for that pain. As the person progresses through the program, he learns the importance of embracing these principles throughout every area of his life. In addition, he also becomes passionate about and learns the skills to help others as they begin and complete their own journey toward sobriety. This has proven to be a very effective model for treating alcoholism because people can draw upon each other for the support they need. Those with multiple addictions should simply choose the 12-step meeting they’re most comfortable with. Any drug addict can get help in AA and any alcoholic can get help in NA – it’s all about what you think will work best for you.

She is a Fellow if the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy and was previously president. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Both organizations also use the 12-step framework that guides members through their recovery. You’ll get another one after 30 days to commemorate the work you’ve put in. You’ll also get key tags when you reach 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 18 months, and then yearly from that point on.

In general, 12-Step attendance and involvement decrease over time. In a discussion meeting, members are given opportunities to speak and share their experiences. There may also be readings or group discussions about particular topics. The two immediately clicked, sharing stories and discussing their problems. After the conversation, Dr. Bob would have one more beer then never drink again. The two brought their unusual ‘drunk talk’ therapy to other alcoholics in Akron hospitals with immediate success.

Is AA or NA the Right Program for You?

Like other 12-step programs, Narcotics Anonymous also operates on a set of Twelve guidelines called the Twelve Traditions of NA. The goal of the twelve traditions is to help members build healthier relationships and live drug-free lives. In the study sample, 12-Step participation was common and intensive after inpatient treatment but fell off over time. However, despite declining attendance, early posttreatment attendance, even in relatively small amounts, predicted long-term helpful outcomes. Specifically, it was found that for every meeting attended there was a subsequent gain of approximately 2 days of abstinence.

While the story of AA is about acceptance, NA was more about rebellion against AA. NA was founded in 1953 in California by Jimmy K as an alternative to AA but spiritually the same. Up until NA’s founding many drug addicts had taken part in AA for recovery but noted the indifference they received from others who thought AA substance abuse group activities for adults should only be for alcoholics. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping recovering drug users. They are a community that meets regularly to help each other maintain sobriety.

To read more about this research, please see Laudet (2008a, 2008b). Clients rated the importance of 12-Step programs to recovery 8.7 on a 10-point scale with high scores indicating higher importance. Clients rated the helpfulness of 12-Step programs 8.02 on a 10-point scale with high scores indicating high levels of helpfulness. Clients stated that their top two reasons for attending AA and NA were to (1) promote recovery/sobriety and to (2) find support, acceptance, and friendship. A series of analyses identified which specific elements of 12-Step involvement were responsible for positive outcomes and whether these elements varied by gender.