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Narcotics
Anonymous
Membership is
open to all drug addicts, regardless of the particular drug or
combination of drugs used. When adapting AA’s First Step, the
word “addiction” was substituted for “alcohol,” thus removing
drug-specific language and reflecting the “disease concept” of
addiction
.
There is
no social, religious, economic, racial, ethnic, national,
gender, or class-status membership restrictions. There are no
dues or fees for membership; while most members regularly
contribute small sums to help cover the expenses of meetings,
such contributions are not mandatory.
Narcotics
Anonymous provides a recovery process and support network
inextricably linked together. One of the keys to NA’s success
is the therapeutic value of addicts working with other
addicts. Members share their successes and challenges in
overcoming active addiction and living drug-free productive
lives through the application of the principles contained
within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. These
principles are the core of the Narcotics Anonymous recovery
program. Principles incorporated within the steps
include:
-
admitting there is
a problem;
-
seeking
help;
-
engaging in a
thorough self-examination;
-
confidential
self-disclosure;
-
making amends for
harm done; andhelping other drug
addicts who want to recover.
Central to the
Narcotics Anonymous program is its emphasis on practicing
spiritual principles. Narcotics Anonymous itself is
non-religious, and each member is encouraged to cultivate an
individual understanding—religious or not—of this “spiritual
awakening.”
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