Help for addicts

or anyone who believes they may have a drug problem

If you are a professional, please go to the Information For Professionals page to see how we may help addicts in your care or institution.

About drugs

What do we mean by "drugs?" In our experience, the first step towards recovery from addiction is total abstinence from all drugs, whether they be legal or illegal, whether we got them from the street, pharmacies, liquor stores or doctors.*

We believe our problem is addiction itself, not specific drugs. Any type of addict is welcome in Narcotics Anonymous. Many of us had stopped using one particular drug only to replace it with another, thereby continuing the cycle of addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Drug addiction, substance abuse or chemical dependence?

We make no distinction between these terms. All that matters is that drugs had become a major problem for us that made our lives unmanageable. At NA meetings, we introduce ourselves simply as "addicts". More

What is an NA member?

An NA member is anyone who follows the NA program.

What does it cost?

Nothing; you've already paid the price to recover with your pain. However, our groups are fully self supporting through their members contributions. There's no catch – we are simply recovering addicts who help each other to stop using drugs and stay off drugs. We are not professionals.

Who will I find at an NA meeting?

Addicts like you – most of whom have stopped using. It has been said that we come from park place and park bench, the important thing at NA is that we are all the same for that 1 hour; we have the same problem and the same solution. We come from all walks of life: Factory workers, CEO's, teenagers, prisoners, housewives, lawyers, artists, wealthy, unemployed, you name it – we're here.

Is NA a religious program?

We recover in an atmosphere of respect for each others beliefs. Although the terms "God" and "Higher Power" do appear in our literature, they are meant as spiritual terms. Our membership includes anti-religious people, atheists, agnostics, and spiritual people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus. More

Will I remain anonymous?

Anonymity is so important to us that it is part of our name. Our meetings are not under surveillance and non-addicts are allowed only during "open" meetings – see our meetings lists.

Am I an addict?

All of us in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have asked ourselves this crucial question. It is probably the most difficult question we have ever had to answer.

However, there is a pamphlet with a series of questions which may help: It is called Am I an addict?

What is the NA program?

NA is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is that they work.

There are no strings attached to NA. We are not affiliated with any other organizations, we have no initiation fees or dues, no pledges to sign, no promises to make to anyone. We are not connected with any political, religious, or law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion.

We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help. The newcomer is the most important person at any meeting, because we can only keep what we have by giving it away. We have learned from our group experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean.

So, what do I do next?

If you believe you may have a drug problem, we recommend you go to a meeting near you

For help finding a meeting, phone us on our helpline:

1-888-764-0365

You will find everything you need to know at a group meeting. Relax, listen to people speak about their experience of recovery from addiction, and meet people like you or ask questions during the break or after the meeting.