What Are the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12-step program that was created in 1953. Its members share their recovery stories, and Meetings are held free of charge. Relapse rates gradually decrease over time. Those who have attended the program have seen an overall reduction in their use of drugs or alcohol. Among other benefits, it can help with the recovery process. Its free meetings are an excellent way to start your journey to recovery. But before you join the program, make sure you know a little bit about Narcotics Anonymous and what the organization offers.

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12-step program

While there is no religious affiliation to the Narcotics Anonymous program, you do need to be committed to attending at least two meetings a week to see results. The 12-step program is open to any person struggling with addiction or substance abuse. In addition, members are expected to be clean and sober for a minimum of 90 days. The program is based on open sharing and discussion about recovery. Ultimately, it is a program that works.

Unlike most 12-step programs, Narcotics Anonymous is a peer-based recovery program. Instead of referring to alcohol, the group uses the term addiction to refer to any addiction. Narcotics Anonymous is an addiction recovery program that focuses on community and sponsorship. The community is a supportive and healing environment. Narcotics Anonymous groups meet at designated meeting sites throughout the world, including those in prison.

NA's 12 Steps

1. We admitted 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 the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Meetings are free

You don't need to pay to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings. You can join a meeting virtually or in person. You can find a meeting near you by checking the online calendar. You can also download the Narcotics Anonymous meeting search app for iOS or Android. Meetings are held around the world, but if you're on the go, you can find a meeting in your area through the Narcotics Anonymous website.

There are no fees for attending NA meetings, and non-members are asked not to contribute to a voluntary fund for the organization. Non-members can purchase a copy of the Basic Text for the program. The success of NA is due to its anonymity. Members understand that what they say at meetings stays in the meetings. They don't discuss the details of their meetings in public. This atmosphere is one of safety and comfort for members.

Members share recovery stories

The 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, aims to help people overcome addictions through spirituality, peer support, and mutual help. Meetings provide opportunities to learn from one another's stories of recovery and celebrate victories in recovery. In addition to meeting meetings, NA also uses medications to help people with withdrawal symptoms. These medications can help addicts cope with cravings and other unpleasant side effects of withdrawal.

The first step is to find a meeting. NA members who have recovered from alcoholism and drug addictions share their recovery stories. These meetings can be arranged in a variety of ways, including virtually. Narcotics Anonymous has an app available for iOS and Android, as well as a website. Meetings are conducted on a weekly basis, but you can even find a meeting virtually. Once you've found a meeting, you can start sharing your story by reading the Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Companion.

Relapse rates decline over time

Statistical analysis has shown that relapse rates of Narcotics Anonymous decrease over time. Participants who were hospitalized within the first month after treatment were more likely to relapse than those who remained sober for more than three months. Patients who used more than one substance had 1.5 times the risk of relapse than those who only used one. Participants with family problems and negative peer influences were also more likely to relapse.

In a traditional relapse, a person makes the conscious decision to use alcohol or drugs. This may be a harmless drink with friends or stress relief, or it may even be an accidental act. However, accidental relapses occur, often resulting in a person accidentally drinking alcohol or drugs while at a party. In these cases, the relapse rate of Narcotics Anonymous is much lower.

Members are given absolute freedom in coming to an understanding of a higher power

The Seventh Tradition is a core part of the heritage of Narcotics Anonymous. It is also a promise. As a program, the name of Narcotics Anonymous should never be the subject of public controversy. In other words, members are given complete freedom to come to an understanding of a higher power. However, this freedom is limited to the people who are part of the program.