Narcotics Anonymous

What Is Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-denominational 12-step program for people in recovery from drug addiction.

The concept of twelve-step recovery began with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) over 80 years ago. Since AA’s foundation, other groups like NA have grown to meet other needs in the addiction recovery community.

While AA primarily targets alcohol addiction recovery, NA specifically caters to individuals who are in recovery from drug addiction. Many drug-specific support groups also offer twelve-step programs (like Cocaine Anonymous, for instance).

However, NA support group meetings provide more generalized support for people with any substance use disorder (SUD).

How Did NA Get Started?

Inspired by the twelve steps of AA, Narcotics Anonymous was started in 1953 by Jimmy Kinnon, AKA “Jimmy K.”

Like the founders of AA, Jimmy also struggled with addiction and wanted to help others by providing a recovery program that expanded beyond just alcohol abuse and addiction.

Officially titled NA World Services, Inc., Narcotics Anonymous is now a nonprofit fellowship whose primary purpose is to encourage those in active addiction to stop using drugs and to provide accountability and support for people recovering from drug addiction.

NA Goals and Principles

NA follows a Twelve Step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which encourages personal growth, self-reflection, and spiritual development.

NA members share their struggles and successes through regular meetings while receiving peer support and accountability.

Like AA, NA also utilizes specific literature to guide members through their journey to sobriety.

The most common NA literature includes:

• The NA Basic Text: The NA Basic Text is a key book used in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) that offers guidance, support, and inspiration for individuals recovering from drug addiction.

It features personal stories from NA members, practical information about the Twelve Steps, and the core principles of the NA program. It’s frequently used in NA meetings for readings, discussions, and study sessions.

• Just for Today: NA also has a book called “Just for Today” that contains daily meditations to support members with long-term sobriety. The meditations from “Just for Today” are also published online at jftna.org, where a relevant reflection is posted daily.

Use of the Term “Addict”

Within the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the term “addict” is used intentionally as a powerful and unifying tool of self-identification.

Unlike in clinical or public health settings where person-first language is preferred to reduce stigma, NA’s literature and members define addiction as a singular disease, regardless of the specific substance a person used. Therefore, identifying as an “addict” serves to break down barriers and hierarchies between people who may have used different drugs, focusing them on their common problem and a shared solution.

When members introduce themselves at meetings by stating, “I’m an addict,” it is not an admission of shame but an act of acceptance—a direct acknowledgment of the First Step, which is admitting powerlessness over the disease of addiction.

In this context, the word is reclaimed from a negative label and transformed into a symbol of shared experience, honesty, and a collective hope for recovery.

Twelve Steps of NA

Although both NA and AA follow similar core principles in their Twelve Steps, some steps may be worded differently to better suit the experiences and struggles of those dealing with drug addiction rather than alcohol addiction.

For example, NA’s steps often refer to “our addiction” rather than specifically to alcohol, and they may emphasize spiritual awakening and the importance of carrying the message to others still struggling with addiction.

The Twelve Steps are the core of the Narcotics Anonymous program. Their principles are based on the spiritual and practical experiences of early members.

The twelve steps of NA are:

1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We 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 a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

NA Meetings

NA offers a variety of meeting types. Each meeting may vary slightly in format and focus, but all NA meetings aim to provide support, guidance, and a sense of community for people in recovery from drug addiction.

Attending an NA meeting is free, which applies to in-person and online meetings.

What to Expect at an NA Meeting

Narcotics Anonymous meetings follow a specific format that typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Group leaders typically provide snacks and drinks to enjoy before the start of the meeting. Once everyone gets settled and seated, the meeting begins.

At the beginning of the NA meeting, the facilitator typically welcomes everyone and acknowledges any newcomers. They might also pass around an NA booklet or “sign-in sheet” with space for attendees to write down their names and phone numbers.

This sign-in sheet allows attendees to connect with one another outside of the meeting, which offers a network of support and accountability—especially for newcomers.

Types of NA Meetings

After sign-ins, the bulk of the meeting takes place, which can vary depending on the type of meeting. Some of the most common NA meeting types are:

• Speaker Meetings: During a speaker meeting, one person will speak and lead the meeting—sometimes a guest and other times a member. The speaker will share their story of drug addiction and recovery. Afterward, they may open the floor for members to ask questions.
• Open Discussion: Alternatively, open discussion meetings are more like round tables where everyone can take turns sharing their stories and experiences. However, sharing is NOT required; some people prefer to listen to others’ stories rather than share their own.
• Step Study Meetings: Step study meetings focus on exploring and discussing the Twelve Steps of NA in depth. Members share their experiences with each step, offering support and guidance to one another.
• Beginners Meetings: These meetings are specifically tailored for newcomers to NA or individuals new to the recovery process. They provide a welcoming environment for newcomers to learn about NA, ask questions, and receive support from more experienced members.

At the end of the meeting, the meeting leader may pass out different colored tokens to celebrate periods of sobriety.

Who Can Attend Narcotics Anonymous Meetings?

The only requirement for attending an NA meeting is the desire to maintain one’s sobriety. However, some meetings are open to the general public and serve as educational or outreach, while others are set aside for members only.

• Open meetings are available to anyone interested in attending, including individuals in recovery, their friends and family, as well as professionals working in the field of addiction. These meetings provide an opportunity for anyone to learn about NA and its program of recovery.
• Closed meetings are specifically reserved for people who have a desire to stop using drugs, whether they are long-time members or if this is their first time attending an NA meeting. Closed meetings offer a safe, confidential space for NA members to share their experiences, struggles, and successes without fear of judgment.

Generally speaking, NA members recommend in-person and virtual or phone meetings for new members. However, in-person meetings aren’t always possible, and the more important thing is that you attend!

How to Find an NA Meeting Near You

Narcotics Anonymous’s website makes it easy to locate meetings in your area. The “For the Public” tab lists NA meetings by phone and virtually. Here is a list of NA virtual meetings.

NA phone meetings are operated by individual Area Service Committees (ASC). To find the regional service committee for your area, visit the “Meeting Search” section of the Narcotics Anonymous World Services website. There, you can find the specific helpline for where you live.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction and could benefit from attending an NA meeting, you can view your local NA meeting list on their website to find one that best fits your schedule.

Get Help for a Drug Addiction Problem

Whether you attend NA or not, if you are concerned about your drug use, you don’t have to figure out what to do on your own.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free online treatment locator to help you find nearby detox programs, inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, addiction counselors, and more.

You can also talk to your doctor or healthcare provider for suggestions for your situation.

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.