Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for people who are addicted (or who have been addicted) to drugs, to help them avoid drug use. It uses a 12 step program modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous. There are subtle differences between the steps used by members of Alcoholics Anonymous and by the members of Narcotics Anonymous. The steps were changed to reflect an all-inclusive program that does not cater to one specific substance problem. NA members believe that the disease of addiction is the problem.
Meetings are held regularly, and can be either open (when visitors are allowed to join) or closed (only addicts can come). They are usually held in church or community halls.
The group is chaired by one person, and may open up with the Serenity Prayer. Around the group everyone states their name, and sometimes how long they have been clean. People who have used drugs that day are welcome to be in the group, though are not invited to participate.
Various readings are done by participants.
There are several types of meetings. Open discussion, literature study, speaker meetings, etc. In an open discussion meeting the chairperson asks for volunteers, and if there are none the chairperson asks a few members to discuss their life, and how being clean has been going and the problems they have been facing. While this person is talking the rest of the group listens.
The session usually ends with a prayer, and a collection box is passed around the group. Part of the ideology of Narcotics Anonymous is that they are addicts helping each other, and donations from visitors are not accepted. Another important ideological point is that Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual program, not a religious program. Each member is entitled to freely choose the "Higher Power" and spiritual practice they want, free from coercion or evangalisim.
See also
