Help for addicts
or anyone who believes he/she may have a drug
problem
- If you are a family member or associate of an addict,
try this link
>
- If you are a professional, please go to the Information
For Professionals page to see how we may help addicts
in your care or institution.
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Links to areas below:
Am I an addict? | What
is the NA programme? | Getting Help
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To hear recovering addicts explain how they deal with
their addiction, click here > |
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What do we mean by "drugs?" In our experience, the first step towards recovery from addiction
is total abstinence from all drugs, whether
they be legal or illegal, whether we got them from the street,
pharmacies,* bottle stores or doctors.*
Individually, our drugs of choice have included
alcohol, Tik, heroin/pethidine, cocaine/crack, slimming tablets
(e.g. Thinz), dope/dagga, benzos (tranquillisers and sleeping
tabs/pills such as Valium, Mandrax and Rohypnol), Ecstasy,
various cough syrups and painkillers etc. – the list
seems endless.
Our problem seems to be addiction itself,
not specific drugs per se. Many of us had stopped using one
particular drug only to replace it with another,
thereby continuing the cycle of addiction.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) has no opinion on tobacco and caffeine.
We suggest you consult the experience of other NA members
or professionals.
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Frequently Asked Questions: |
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Drug addiction,
substance abuse or chemical dependence?
We make no distinction between these terms. All that
matters is that drugs had become a major problem for us that made our lives unmanageable. At NA meetings, we
introduce ourselves simply as "addicts". More > (PDF* – 49 KB)
What is an NA member?
An NA member is anyone who follows the NA programme
(see above left).
What does it cost?
Nothing – it's free. There's no catch
– we are simply recovering addicts who help each
other to stop using drugs and stay off drugs. We are not professionals. More > (PDF* – 53 KB)
Who will I find at an NA meeting?
Addicts like you – most of whom have stopped using drugs.
We come from all walks of life: GP's, factory
workers, CEO's, teenagers, pensioners, housewives, lawyers,
gangsters, artists, wealthy, unemployed, gay, straight, HIV+,
corporates, white, black, brown, you name it – we're
here.
Is NA a religious programme?
No. Although the terms "God" and "Higher Power"
do appear in our literature, they are meant as spiritual terms. Our membership includes anti-religious people, atheists,
agnostics, spiritual people, Christians, Muslims, Jews and
Hindus. More >
Is NA a cult?
No. We have no authority figures. Members who chair
NA meetings or service structures do so on a voluntary and short-term basis and are elected to do so.
The NA programme is the result of the experiences of many recovering addicts worldwide, never that of one member. The
only money that changes hands are minor,
voluntary contributions for rental of meeting premises and
refreshments, and non-profit literature sales.
Will I remain anonymous?
Anonymity is so important to us that it is part of
our name. Our meetings are not under surveillance and non-addicts are allowed only during "open" meetings – see our meetings lists.
Will I be safe at meetings?
In most NA meetings, you will find that the vast majority
of members are clean (abstaining from drugs).
There is an atmosphere of recovery at meetings and we do not
allow drugs or drug paraphernalia inside meetings. |
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Am I an addict?
All of us in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have asked
ourselves this crucial question. It is probably the most difficult
decision we have ever had to make.
However, there is a pamphlet with a series of questions which may
help: It is called Am
I an addict? >
What is the NA programme?
NA is a non-profit fellowship or
society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem.
We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a programme of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep
an open mind and give yourself a break. Our programme is a set of
principles written so simply that we can follow
them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is
that they work.
There are no strings attached to NA. We are not
affiliated with any other organizations, we have no initiation fees
or dues, no pledges to sign, no promises to make to anyone. We are
not connected with any political, religious, or law enforcement
groups, and are under no surveillance at any time. Anyone may join us, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or
lack of religion.
We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your connections
were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you
have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how
we can help. The newcomer is the most important
person at any meeting, because we can only keep what we have by
giving it away. We have learned from our group experience that those who keep coming to our meetings regularly stay clean.
So, what do I do next?
If you believe you may have a drug problem, we recommend
you go to a meeting near you >
For help finding a meeting, phone us on our help-line on 083 900 69 62.
You will find everything you need to know at a group
meeting. Relax, listen to people speak about their experience of
recovery from addiction, and meet people like you
or ask questions during the break or after the meeting.
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