Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit, 12-step fellowship for people who want to stop using drugs and live a drug-free life.(Source) NA focuses on addiction as a whole rather than on any single substance. Whether someone misuses prescription medications, opioids, stimulants, sedatives, or multiple substances, they are welcome in NA if they have a desire to stop using.

NA is:

• Peer-led – Meetings are run by members, not professionals.
• Free to attend – There are no dues or fees; meetings are self-supporting through voluntary contributions.(Source)
• Anonymous and confidential – Members typically use first names only and agree to protect each other’s privacy.
• Widely available – NA meetings are held in person, online, and by phone in many languages around the world.(Source)

The primary purpose of NA is to help addicts stop using drugs and find a new way to live, using the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions as a spiritual and practical framework for recovery.(Source)

Narcotics Anonymous began in the early 1950s in the United States, inspired by the success of Alcoholics Anonymous.(Source) In 1953, a small group of people in the Los Angeles area, including Jimmy Kinnon (often referred to as “Jimmy K.”), started holding meetings specifically for people addicted to drugs other than alcohol.(Source)

These early members saw that many people struggling with drug addiction did not fully relate to AA’s focus on alcohol. With permission from Alcoholics Anonymous, they adapted AA’s 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, changing the language from “alcohol” to “addiction” and “drugs.”(Source)

From those first meetings in California, NA gradually grew across North America and then internationally. Over time, the fellowship developed its own literature, including the “White Booklet” and the basic text *Narcotics Anonymous*, which outline NA’s principles, steps, and traditions.(Source)

Narcotics Anonymous is open to anyone who has a desire to stop using drugs, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.(Source) NA does not distinguish between types of drugs or levels of use. People may attend NA if they struggle with:

• Illicit drugs (such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine)
• Misuse of prescription medications (such as opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants)
• Polysubstance use (using multiple substances)
• A history of addiction, even if they are currently abstinent and want ongoing support

NA meetings may be:

• Open meetings – Anyone can attend, including family members, friends, and professionals who want to learn more about NA.
• Closed meetings – Reserved for people who identify as addicts or who believe they may have a problem with drugs.

There are no membership applications, and no one is turned away for lack of money. NA is self-supporting through voluntary contributions from members, and there are no required fees to attend.(Source)

As of the mid-2020s, NA reports tens of thousands of weekly meetings in more than 140 countries, reflecting its continued global growth.(Source)

For many people, understanding what to expect at an NA meeting makes it easier to attend for the first time. NA works by bringing people with similar struggles together in a safe, structured environment where they can share honestly and support one another.

Key elements of how NA works include:

• Regular meetings – Members attend meetings in person or online, often weekly or more frequently, to share their experience, strength, and hope.
• Sharing and listening – Members take turns speaking about their recovery, challenges, and progress, while others listen without judgment or interruption.
• 12 Steps and 12 Traditions – NA uses a set of spiritual principles (the Steps) to guide personal recovery and a set of Traditions to guide how groups function.(Source)
• Sponsorship – More experienced members (sponsors) support newer members (sponsees) in working the steps and navigating early recovery.(Source)
• Service – Members help the fellowship by volunteering in roles such as chairing meetings, greeting newcomers, or participating in local service committees.

According to NA’s foundational “White Booklet,” “NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We meet regularly to help each other stay clean. We are not interested in what or how much you used, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help.”(Source)

This peer-based approach allows people to learn from others who have faced similar struggles and found a way to live drug-free.

The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous provide a structured path for personal recovery. They encourage honesty, self-examination, spiritual growth, and making amends where possible. The 12 Steps of NA are:(Source)

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.

Members typically work through these steps with the guidance of a sponsor, at their own pace. The steps are not a quick fix; they are a long-term framework for building a stable, meaningful life in recovery.(Source)

Spirituality is a central part of NA, but it is not tied to any specific religion or belief system. NA literature emphasizes a “God of our understanding” or a “Higher Power” that each member defines for themselves.(Source)

Key points about spirituality in NA include:

• Not religiously affiliated – NA is not connected to any church, denomination, or religious organization.(Source)
• Inclusive language – Members are free to interpret “Higher Power” in a way that makes sense to them—this could be a traditional concept of God, the collective strength of the group, nature, or another spiritual idea.
• Focus on principles – NA encourages members to practice spiritual principles such as honesty, humility, willingness, compassion, and service in their daily lives.

For many people, this flexible approach to spirituality makes NA accessible, even if they have had negative experiences with religion in the past or do not identify with any faith tradition.

Walking into a first NA meeting can feel intimidating, but most people find that the atmosphere is welcoming and nonjudgmental. While each group has its own style, many meetings follow a similar format:(Source)

• Opening – A chairperson opens the meeting, often reading from NA literature and explaining the meeting format.
• Readings – Common readings include the NA preamble, the 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, and other short selections.
• Introductions – Members may introduce themselves by first name only. Newcomers are often welcomed but are not required to speak.
• Sharing – Members share about their experiences with addiction and recovery. Cross-talk (directly commenting on another person’s share) is usually discouraged to keep the space safe.
• Announcements – Information about upcoming meetings, events, or service opportunities may be shared.
• Closing – The meeting ends with a closing statement or prayer, depending on the group’s format.

You are not required to:

• Share or tell your story at your first meeting
• Sign anything or give personal details
• Pay any fees to attend

Many people find it helpful to attend several different meetings to see which group feels like the best fit.

Joining NA is simple: you just show up. There are no applications, waiting lists, or insurance requirements. To find a meeting, you can use the meeting search tools provided by the official Narcotics Anonymous World Services and regional NA websites.(Source)

NA meetings are available in several formats:

• In-person meetings – Held in community centers, churches, treatment facilities, and other local venues.
• Online meetings – Accessible via video conferencing platforms, offering flexibility for people who cannot attend in person.
• Phone meetings – Helpful for those with limited internet access or mobility.

If you are in treatment at Cardinal Recovery, our team can help you:

• Identify NA meetings near your home or workplace
• Explore online NA options if transportation or scheduling is a challenge
• Integrate NA participation into your aftercare or continuing care plan

Admitting there is a problem and reaching out for help is a powerful first step. NA can be an important part of a broader recovery strategy that may also include professional treatment, therapy, medication-assisted treatment (when appropriate), and support from family and loved ones.(Source)

Narcotics Anonymous is a mutual-help fellowship, not a professional treatment program. It does not provide medical care, detox services, or formal counseling.(Source) Instead, NA complements professional treatment by offering ongoing peer support and a structured recovery community.

Research suggests that participation in 12-step mutual-help groups like NA and AA is associated with higher rates of abstinence and improved long-term outcomes for many people with substance use disorders.(Source) Many treatment centers, including Cardinal Recovery, encourage clients to explore NA as part of their aftercare plan.

At Cardinal Recovery, we can help you:

• Understand how NA fits alongside evidence-based treatment
• Connect with local NA members or meetings during or after treatment
• Build a personalized recovery plan that may include NA, therapy, family support, and other resources

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you do not have to face it alone. Professional treatment and community support like NA can work together to support lasting recovery.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, reaching out for help is a courageous and life-changing decision. Narcotics Anonymous offers free, ongoing peer support, while professional treatment can address the medical, psychological, and emotional aspects of addiction.

Cardinal Recovery provides compassionate, evidence-based care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our team can help you:

• Safely manage withdrawal with appropriate medical support when needed
• Understand your treatment options
• Create a personalized plan that may include therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and community support groups like NA

You are not alone. Recovery is possible, and support is available. Contact Cardinal Recovery to learn more about our programs and how we can help you or your loved one take the next step toward a healthier, substance-free life.