If you’re planning to go to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting for the first time, it might be nice to know what to expect. The information here is meant to give you an understanding of what happens in our meetings. The words we use and the way we act might be unfamiliar to you at first, but hopefully this information can help you get the most out of your first NA meeting. If you show up early, stay late, and ask lots of questions before and after the meeting, you’ll probably get the most out of every meeting you attend.Our Basic Text, Narcotics Anonymous, provides the best description of who we are and what we do: NA is a nonprofit 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. The Twelve Steps of NA are the basis of our recovery program. People have all sorts of reasons for attending NA meet-ings, but the reason for each meeting is to give NA members a place to share recovery with other addicts. If you are not an addict, look for an open meeting, which welcomes non-addicts. If you’re an addict or think you might have a drug problem, we suggest a meeting every day for at least ninety days to get to know NA members and our program.
NA literature is also a great source of information about our program. Our Basic Text (Narcotics Anonymous) or our recovery pamphlets are a good place to start. Most meetings offer pamphlets for free, while books are generally sold at the group’s cost. Most of our literature is also available to read or buy at www.na.org.
The following is some general information that applies to most NA meetings
- We are not concerned with types or amounts of drugs used; we focus on the ways addiction and recovery affect our lives.
- NA meetings are not classes or group therapy sessions. We do not teach lessons or provide counseling. We simply share our personal experiences with addiction and recovery.
- Meetings are often held in churches, treatment centers, or other facilities, because these places tend to be affordable, available, or convenient. NA is not a part of or connected to any other group, organization, or institution.
- To respect the anonymity of all of our members, we ask that people who attend our meetings not talk about who our members are or what they share in meetings.
- NA has no membership fees or dues. Our members make voluntary contributions at meetings to support the group and other efforts to carry our message. Nonmembers are asked not to contribute so NA can remain fully self-supporting.
Our program of recovery begins with abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol. Sometimes people come to NA meetings while still using drugs, detoxing from drugs, or on drug replacement therapy. Regardless of what you may be taking when you first come to NA, you are welcome. Also, members often have questions about prescribed medications. We encourage you to read NA literature (Basic Text, In Time of Illness, NA Groups and Medication, etc.), which will explain NA’s approach to recovery, and to talk to NA members who have faced similar situations about what worked for them. We are not professionals and cannot offer expert opinions in medical matters; we can only share our personal experiences with one another.
Here are a few things you might expect to see or experience in our meetings
- Meetings are usually either discussion or speaker meetings. Discussion meetings allow members to take turns sharing. Speaker meetings allow one or more members to share for an extended period of time.
- Visitors and newcomers are usually asked to introduce themselves by their first name. Newcomers are usually welcomed with a handshake or hug and a welcome keytag.
- In most places, it is customary for members to gather in a circle to end the meeting with a short prayer or NA reading. Though you may hear prayers in meetings, ours is a spiritual, not religious program.
- Groups often mark or sign attendance sheets or court cards as a courtesy to people who request it, but some groups and members choose not to do so. If needed, it is best to ask how the group handles this before the meeting begins.
- Most groups provide schedules or directories of other local NA meetings.
About sharing
- NA relies on the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. Nonmembers are generally asked not to share in meetings.
- Members are usually asked to share only once per meeting, mindful of the meeting’s time limitations. Many meetings ask members to limit sharing to five minutes or less.
- Members are also encouraged to avoid crosstalk, which means we share our own experiences instead of responding to other members. Individuals can have conversations before or after meetings.
- Members are asked to avoid sharing explicit details and descriptions of drugs and using in meetings, and to focus instead on how addiction and recovery affect us.
- Newcomers are generally encouraged to focus on listening, but they are welcome to share during the participation portion of the meeting if they feel the need.
- Newcomers are also encouraged to listen closely to identify experienced members they can relate to who might make good sponsors or offer other guidance and support.
Cultivating an atmosphere of recovery in our meetings
- Some meetings have a short break for members to talk, get refreshments, use the restroom, or smoke. At meetings with no break, we usually wait until after the meeting.
- We don’t allow drugs or drug paraphernalia in any NA meetings.
- We strongly discourage any harassment, threats, or disturbing behavior before, during, and after our meetings. This includes unwelcome sexual, romantic, financial, and religious solicitation. Our meetings are for sharing NA recovery. If you feel harassed or threatened, share your concerns with the meeting leader or a trusted servant.
- We ask latecomers to find a seat quietly and avoid distracting people. We discourage side conversations. Even at a very low whisper, they distract others.
- Phone calls and text messages also distract others. We ask members to turn off or silence their cell phones and other electronic devices during meetings.
- In many places, hugs are a common NA greeting. If you’re not comfortable hugging, don’t hesitate to say so. Most members will be understanding about this.
Our meetings vary widely in size and style. Some are small and intimate; others are large and loud. The practices and terms used in our meetings also vary widely from one place to another. Most importantly, our meetings are where we share our experience, strength, and hope. If you’re an addict, keep coming to our meetings and share in our recovery!