Myths And Realities

Below are some of the Myths and Realities that we cover in our presentations. If you would like us to give a presentation to your service body or organisation please contact us on pi@westcountry.ukna.org

“NA is the same as AA”

• NA was founded in 1953 with the help of members of AA, and is a global fellowship in its own right

• Like other 12 step fellowships, NA has adapted AA’s, 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts

• Our First Step states that we are powerless over our addiction:

  by contrast, all other fellowships focus on specific substances in this step.

• NA endorses no other fellowships or organisations – not even AA

“NA is a religion”

• The NA programme is based on a set of spiritual principles that are not associated with a particular religion

• Our steps simply call for finding and believing in a power greater than oneself: members are free to choose a belief that works for them personally

• Experiences of our members show that the spiritual principles work for all members, from the devoutly religious (in all faiths) to the atheist or the agnostic

“NA is a secret society”

• We are a private organisation

•  Our intention is to protect the anonymity of our members

“NA is a cult”

•  There are no leaders in NA

• The core of our programme is the therapeutic value of one addict helping another

• Membership of NA is free, and any contributions towards our running costs collected at meetings are entirely voluntary

• Our members are free to leave at any time

“NA is only for heroin addicts”

• NA is open to anyone regardless of his or her drugs of choice

• NA is a programme of complete abstinence from all drugs, including alcohol

• We also pay no regard to race, class, religion or sexual orientation

“NA is against prescribed medications”

• The only requirement for membership of NA is a desire to stop using

• NA pretends no medical expertise, and we encourage anyone who is on prescribed medication to seek  medical advice before stopping