Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit organization that works for the recovery of drug addicts. It goes after a twelve step program and it is group-oriented. It defines itself as a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a disturbing problem.
The longing to discontinue the use of drugs is the only prerequisite necessary for on to join Narcotics Anonymous. They meet regularly to help each other stay clean, clean which means a complete abstinence form all mood and mind altering substances. There are no fees necessary when one joins a nonprofit organization.
Narcotics Anonymous provides a place for drug addicts to recover aside from rehabilitation centers. Usually, addicts first enter narcotics anonymous after reaching a “bottom” in their life, a point at which life feels completely uncontrollable, characterized by “unemployability, dereliction and destruction” and centered around the getting and using and finding ways and means to get more drugs. There are different bottoms for every Narcotics Anonymous member. This is when an addict can be anywhere he chooses to stop using substances. In practice, it is drug use and the severe consequences connected with its abuse that bring most addicts to their bottom many of them sliding along ‘this bottom’ for many years often cannot find their way out.
Regular meetings are the basic unit of Narcotics Anonymous fellowship. Gatherings are held in a range of places such as church meeting rooms, libraries, hospitals, community centers, parks, or any other place that can accommodate a meeting. There are two basic types of meetings, “open” and “closed”.Anyone is welcome to attend an open meeting, while closed meetings are limited to addicts and to people who think they may have a problem with drugs.
Meeting formats vary, but often comprise time devoted to the reading aloud of Narcotics Anonymous literature regarding the matters implicated in living life clean which is written by and for members of Narcotics Anonymous. Many meetings also include an “open sharing” component, where anyone attending has the opportunity to share. There is normally no direct comment on the duration of the ‘share’, thus only one person ever speaks at any given time during this share of the meeting.
Each group has only one primary purpose that is to carry the message to the addict who still suffers. As a result, the newcomer is considered to be the most important person in any meeting. Hope is the essential message of Narcotics Anonymous. The basic assurance of narcotics anonymous is that an addict, any addict, can end using drugs, drop the desire to use, and discover a new way of life. Members are being given hope for a new life through Narcotics Anonymous’ twelve step program and twelve traditions.
Life should not be put to waste because a man has much potential. He or she may fail, as in becoming enslaved by worldly things such as drugs, but an individual is also capable of standing up from the fall and looking forward once again. Thus, the Narcotics Anonymous, focusing on those who are victims of drug addiction, speaks to these people of how wonderful life still is and that addiction does not mean the end, it is just a middle stage for a new and better life.
Narcotics Anonymous are now based in different areas in the world. The organization is trying to make a difference. These organizations have but one message to get across, that in times of darkness, such as falling into the pit of drug addiction, you are not alone in this battle. The Narcotics Anonymous is there to support you and help you stand up and fight for your life.
