Narcotics Anonymous also known as NA is a program based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and designed to help recovering drug addicts beat their addiction and face their problems. Drug addiction often is an outward sign an internal psychological issues that are not resolved. Often times family relationships and childhood experiences are contributing factors for drug addiction. Failed parental relationships, poor parental care and mind numbing poverty can combine to form a perfect maelstrom for drugs. There are some people who also become addicted due to casual recreational use that snowballs.
Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit group that meets to discuss the mechanics of addiction and how to keep it from reoccurring. Being clean and sober is tough, and these meetings are regular intervals are designed to form a mechanism of support for recovering addicts. Often only recovering addicts themselves are allowed to administer these types of groups. There is an understanding between members of the daily struggles and one’s sponsor can be very helpful for individual support.
The meeting forms a place for developing friendships, support networks and reinforcement for healthier pursuits. Some people will attend meetings once or twice a day and others will go once or twice a week. The sponsor – addict relationship is a core element of NA. The sponsor is another person the addict can rely upon when there is a feeling that they are about to regress. This person can provide strength and counseling to the addict. The idea is that you have better chances of staying clean and sober with help and having this relationship will foster and maintain better choices. For more than 50 years this program has been successful. There are two types of meetings that available. Open meetings are available to anyone. Closed meetings are only for addicts and drug users. Because there may be negative opinions towards drug abusers the closed meetings allow addicts to be more comfortable without fear of ridicule or verbal confrontations.