We’re a nonprofit organization, a resource of leading clinical expertise, and the first Tennessee addiction treatment center to achieve certification from the American Society of Addiction Medicine. At Cumberland Heights, staff, alumni, and advocates walk with each patient through every step on the journey to recovery, helping them rewrite their story – a story of hope, healing, and happiness. Both AA and NA encourage lifelong participation as part of their aftercare program, allowing members to maintain sobriety through continued engagement. After completing a formal treatment program, creating a sustainable aftercare plan that includes AA or NA can support your journey and reduce relapse risk. Many people find value in marking milestones with tokens like Narcotics Anonymous medallions or AA chips, which symbolize progress and commitment to sobriety. Additionally, there are non-substance-related 12-step programs like Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Gamblers Anonymous (GA), and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA).
- By leveraging these shared elements, participants can build resilient support networks critical for achieving lasting recovery.
- Closed meetings, on the other hand, are reserved exclusively for those who identify as people with an addiction (NA) or have a desire to stop drinking (AA).
- Recognizing this, the availability of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offers a flexible yet structured approach for those seeking to overcome addiction while maintaining their day-to-day responsibilities.
- While attendance is open to all, verbal participation is limited to NA members only.
- Some meetings may include speakers, or people sharing about their experiences.
- Even if someone doesn’t put it in your treatment plan, Patterson advises people to try a few different options, including CBT and SMART Recovery, at least once if possible.
Online Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a popular nonprofit organization many people join to recover from alcohol addiction. The program promotes abstaining from alcohol through a spiritually inclined 12-Steps program. Going through the 12-Steps allows members to address the roots of their addiction, make amends with those they’ve hurt, and find healthy ways to improve their lives. Yes, many individuals attend both AA and NA meetings to address multiple aspects of their addiction or to find additional support.
AA Viability—Thriving Despite Challenges
Engaging with these principles daily enriches the recovery process, offering a structured approach to addressing life’s complexities without substances. The journey to recovery often needs a tangible measure of progress and success, where the Sobriety Calculator becomes a beacon of hope and achievement. Recognizing the psychological boost that milestones provide, the Sobriety Calculator allows individuals battling addiction to see the exact amount of time they’ve been sober, down to the very day.
Reasons to Seek Addiction Treatment
Recognizing the warning signs and stages of addiction is crucial for early intervention and recovery. The stages typically include experimentation, regular use, dependency, and addiction. Group, your sponsor may have had a substance use disorder that you may not be able to relate to. Is peer-led and is a non-professional organization that treats alcoholism as a disease of the body and the mind.
Is AA or NA the Right Program for You?
- This principle fosters trust and creates a safe environment for discussing sensitive topics.
- The principles of empathy, shared experience, and mutual aid underlie their operation, enabling participants to draw strength and guidance from peers who have navigated similar paths.
- Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can provide a community of support as you work through recovery.
- Both programs share common ground in promoting mutual support and community among members, offering safe spaces for open dialogue without judgment.
- This journey is highly individual, with each person facing unique challenges and requiring different levels of support.
- It signifies a readiness to embrace change, seek support, and embark on a transformative journey.
NA’s principles extend into practical applications, with members encouraged to participate in meetings, engage in sponsorship, and perform service work, thereby enhancing their recovery journey. This structured yet flexible framework helps members navigate the complexities of sobriety, emphasizing growth, resilience, and the continuous pursuit of a drug-free life. The origins of NA highlight a crucial point in history where the need for a distinct group focusing on drug addiction became apparent. The creation of NA represented a significant development in how society approaches drug addiction, marking a progressive step towards inclusive recovery support for all types of substance dependencies. Selecting the right recovery support group is a critical step toward a successful recovery.
The inclusive language used in NA literature ensures that participants from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and supported. Despite the differing focus on substances na vs aa and approaches to recovery, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) share foundational principles that underpin their effectiveness. Both programs are rooted in support group therapy, where members benefit from a community of peers who understand their struggles intimately. NA’s approach to sponsorship and support embraces the broader concept of addiction, allowing for mentorship relationships that cross the boundaries of specific substances.
History of Narcotics Anonymous
It’s important to find what works best for you and to feel comfortable exploring different options for recovery. At White Light Behavioral Health, we treat alcoholism and substance abuse. Similar to alcohol addiction, individuals with SUD will also display irresponsible behavior, such as driving under the influence. If the addiction has been going on for some time, relationships may be strained, and there may be financial problems as a lot of money will be spent to purchase drugs.