Heroin Anonymous (HA)

What Is Heroin Anonymous?

Heroin Anonymous (HA) is a 12-step support group for people who deal with heroin addiction. It offers a safe space for heroin addicts at any stage of their recovery journey to share their thoughts, setbacks, and wins with their peers.

HA offers resources and support for people trying to get “clean” or for people who want to avoid relapses.

HA was founded in 2004 by former heroin addicts and has grown into a global program with thousands of members. Membership is always free, but donations are optional. The only requirement to join is “a desire to stop suffering from heroin addiction.”

How Heroin Anonymous Differs From Other 12-Step Programs

HA adapted its program format from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and follows many of the same principles. For example, HA chapters are always self-supporting and run by volunteers, not medical professionals.

The main difference between HA and other 12-step groups is that HA’s 12 steps focus exclusively on heroin and the unique challenges heroin addicts face. People who abuse heroin alongside other drugs may find a different fellowship more helpful, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

The Twelve Steps of Heroin Anonymous

Heroin Anonymous uses a basic 12-step format, which you can use as a guide whether you’re currently clean or trying to quit heroin with medical support. Remember that while the 12 steps mention “God,” you can always substitute another term, like “The Universe.”

The 12 steps of Heroin Anonymous are as follows:

1. We admitted we were powerless over heroin – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to heroin addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Core Principles of Heroin Anonymous

In addition to the 12 steps, HA also follows ideas and traditions based on AA. For example, new HA members are encouraged to connect with a “sponsor,” a more experienced group member who acts as a mentor and an additional support.

More guiding principles of Heroin Anonymous include the following: 

• Total abstinence: The goal of HA is full abstinence from heroin, not harm reduction (measures that make heroin abuse less dangerous).
• Anonymity: Members keep each other’s identities secret outside the group. You can also choose not to share your last name at meetings.
• Non-denominational: HA is a spiritual program, not a religious one. You don’t need to follow a particular religion or belong to a church to join.
• Apolitical: HA isn’t involved with any political movements and never makes endorsements for candidates.

Heroin Anonymous Meetings

Heroin Anonymous meetings can take place in person or online, depending on the chapter.

HA meetings can either be “open,” where anyone can attend, like family members and friends, or “closed,” where only members can join. Additionally, some meetings may be for women-only, men-only, or co-ed. Chapters post the type of meeting in advance, so you know what to expect.

What Is a Heroin Anonymous Meeting Like?

Every Heroin Anonymous chapter runs meetings their own way, but most open with silent meditation and the Serenity Prayer, followed by introductions and announcements.

HA meetings are often based on one of the following templates, but each chapter might change them to suit their members’ needs: 

• Big Book Study: A member reads a section from the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous, followed by study and discussion.
• Speaker Meeting: A chosen speaker leads the group with their story or a speech.
• Member discussion: Members share their experiences or current struggles. Discussion might be random, with anyone volunteering to speak, or a speaker might ask members to share one at a time.
• Step Discussion: Members discuss a different step every week, often sharing personal experiences and challenges relating to the step.

Meetings typically close with more silent meditation and a different prayer. The group leader may also ask if anyone feels the urge to use heroin and offer a chance to talk privately after the meeting.

How Can I Find a Heroin Anonymous Meeting?

Heroin Anonymous hosts in-person meetings across the United States, which you can find on HA’s meeting directory. You can sort meetings by location, date, and meeting type.

If you don’t have any open meetings nearby or don’t feel comfortable going to a meeting in person, you can also join an online meeting from HA’s Zoom Meeting master list. Each online meeting includes the date, time, meeting topic, and Zoom password.

Get Support Through Heroin Anonymous

If you’re feeling alone, lost, or craving heroin, Heroin Anonymous can connect you with people who understand your experiences and support your recovery.

While it costs nothing to reach out, going to your first meeting can open the door to a heroin-free life. You can learn more about HA’s approach to addiction at their official website, Heroin Anonymous World Services.

Remember that Heroin can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, and you should always seek medical help before trying to quit. You can find medical detox or rehabilitation programs with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s online treatment locator or call SAMHSA’s helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
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Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.