Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a non-profit worldwide fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are ‘recovering addicts’ who meet regularly to help each other to stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. Our fellowship is concerned with the disease of addiction and recovery from that disease; the drug or drugs of choice is unimportant. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs.
Avinash, the Panel Leader told — “Narcotics Anonymous books and information pamphlets are currently available in 65 languages including Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Oriya, Tamil, Kannada, Urdu & Nepali. Today there are more than 70,064 weekly meetings in over 139 countries. The Narcotics Anonymous message is that an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use and find a new way to live. Our intent is to share this message broadly so that those who might benefit from our program of recovery can reach us via our local helpline number 092177-06222. The primary purpose of setting up of Narcotics Anonymous is that No addict seeking recovery need ever suffer or die from the horrors of addiction without a chance to know that there is a way out; the NA way.”
The primary service provided by Narcotics Anonymous is the NA group meeting. Each group runs itself based on principles common to the entire organization, folowing a 12-step program to help the addict. NA’s primary approach to recovery is its belief in the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. Anyone who wants to stop using drugs may become a member of Narcotics Anonymous. Membership is not limited to addicts using any particular drug. Those who feel they may have a problem with drugs, legal or illegal, including alcohol, are welcome in NA. Recovery in NA focuses on the problem of addiction, not on any particular drug. The basic premise of anonymity allows addicts to attend meetings without fear of legal or social repercussions. Anonymity also supports an atmosphere of equality in meetings. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction. NA meetings are informally structured, and are funded entirely by member’s voluntary contributions and the sale of recovery literature. Financial contributions from non-members are not accepted. Recovery in NA is a process, ongoing and personal, and members make an individual decision to join and recover at their own pace. No attendance records are kept to ensure the privacy of the members. Said Vikash, “Narcotics Anonymous is NOT a religious organisation, though it talks of spirituality and makes use of spiritual tools to provide emotional support to the addict.”
Today, NA in India is 35 years old and has 287 weekly recovery meetings in several cities in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal. Gaurav shared his personal story of how he came out of the curse of addiction by attending the weekly meetings and sharing with other members of the group.
We conduct regular NA meetings in public facilities like schools, hospitals, temples, churches which provides an environment for addicts to identify and help each other to cope & learn to stay away from all mood-altering substances including Alcohol.
In order to carry our message of the simple program of Narcotics Anonymous to those that need it, as well as provide information to the community at large, we make efforts, through various media, to provide information. Any one in need of our help or services can reach us via our local helpline number 092177-06222. For further information, please visit us at http://naindia.in or get in touch with us at [email protected]
