12-Step Program in Narcotics Anonymous

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What is a 12-Step Program in Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a program that was founded in 1953 to support people who want to stop using drugs.

Drugs anonymous programs utilize a 12-step approach to supporting members through recovery.

It makes no differentiation between drugs, including alcohol.

It has adjusted some of the 12 steps from Alcoholics Anonymous and has adapted them to incorporate all drugs.

Narcotics Anonymous relies on peer support to help maintain sobriety and encourage recovery.

Others who have experienced addiction firsthand can offer understanding, hope, and encouragement that sometimes few others can understand.

It can be incredibly encouraging to see others who have and continue to succeed in their sobriety from drug use.

The 12 Steps are used as a helpful tool to supplement recovery from addiction.

They are designed to be able to be used privately as well as in a community for those in recovery.

Giving up the belief of control and utilizing accountability are proven successful tenants of recovery.

Understanding Narcotics Anonymous

What is Narcotics Anonymous/Drugs Anonymous, and what are their 12-steps? The 12 steps of NA are below:

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 out and give 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 the 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.

These 12 Steps are repeated at each meeting and are included in many of the NA literature pamphlets and books.

Many of the steps specifically reference God; however, you may utilize the understanding of a higher power or God as you understand him. This is designed to be inclusive and not require a belief in a traditional God to adhere to the 12 Steps.

Drugs Anonymous meetings are groups of people who desire support to stay clean and sober. Sometimes the meetings can be large; other times, they are small. Most of the meeting is spent talking through recovery, meeting other people, and learning from others. There is no requirement to talk at a meeting; the only requirement is the desire to stay clean and sober.

Effects and Abuse of Narcotics

Addiction and abuse of narcotics can involve a variety of medications and substances. It can also involve different routes and methods to get high. Some abuse goes on for years before the user receives and accepts help.

Some struggling with addiction believe they have it all under control and can juggle an addiction if everyone would “ease up” and “chill out.” Rules and expectations are signs of reality that addiction doesn’t like to acknowledge.

When the façade of addiction falls, and the user is ready to look at the truth, a 12-Step program is an excellent tool to heal and recover. Narcotic abuse creates a false reality and distorts how the brain works.

Addiction is a process of lowering expectations, lowering self-esteem, and forgetting the importance of self-care and dignity. It shreds relationships and can endanger long term health. Many treatment centers use 12-Step programs to put recovery into concrete steps that are easily understood yet effective against addiction’s complexity.

Three themes are present through the 12 Steps. These are acceptance, surrender, and service. For additional information, click here.

What are 12-Step Programs?

12-Step programs are designed to utilize a relatively simple list of 12 rules or Steps to follow to improve recovery. They are designed as tools to use every day in regular life. They are both tools for recovery and tools to replace harmful habits.

Accountability is a core principle of the 12 Steps. The steps give guidance and direction in living honestly and without the haze of distorted thinking that can happen during the process of addiction.

The 12 Steps are also designed to remind the user that they are not alone, nor are they invincible. They create a belief system of moving through the world to replace harmful addictive substances with other coping and communication strategies.

Creating a safe space is a primary goal of a 12 Step Meeting. Feeling safe to express emotions, concerns and receive love and support from others who have been where you are is what 12-Step programs are all about.

Narcotics Anonymous Treatment

Narcotics Anonymous relies on voluntary participation, although at times, a court order may require attendance. It is based on attraction rather than promotion. It does not charge any dues or fees and all meetings are free to attend. Meetings do accept donations; however, it is completely voluntary.

Confidentiality is important at NA, and all meeting attendance is designed to remain confidential.

Many fighting an opiate addiction, and others find acceptance and hope at NA meetings. It has been proven that sobriety improves with regular attendance and adherence to the 12 Steps.

Peer support through the creation of a peer support network is critical for newly sober individuals. NA is an important transition tool from inpatient rehab to successful outpatient treatment and re-entry into life while remaining clean and sober.

Very few can understand the process of going from using to sober and continuing to stay sober. Relating to peers who have realistic advice and important guidance is what makes NA so successful.

Payment Information

Recovery from narcotic addiction requires professional help. If you want help but do not know where to begin, give us a call. We provide free insurance verification and can help you determine your best options for treatment. Financial negotiations can be time-consuming and confusing.

When dealing with a narcotic addiction, the last thing you want is another battle with insurance. We have financial professionals waiting to assist you today.

How to Get Help

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we are familiar with all forms of narcotic addiction and all stages of recovery.

We have been where you are and understand the steps that can put you on the road to recovery.

If you are tired, we can offer hope and options to put you on the path to recovery.