Simply put, they are groups of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay sober.
What type of drugs is Narcotics Anonymous interested in?
Narcotics Anonymous does notcare about the type or quantity of drugs the addict was using.
What are the requirements that qualify an addict to be able to join Narcotics Anonymous?
Every addict and any addict is eligible for membership in Narcotics Anonymous, and the only requirement is the addict's desire to abstain.
What about alcoholics and those addicted to controlled substances? Can they join?
Yes, they can join. Narcotics Anonymous considers any mood-altering substance to be a narcotic.
How does the Narcotics Anonymous program work?
By attending recovery meetings where addicts help each other and senior members help newly joined members, and then applying the twelve steps of Narcotics Anonymous and providing service to the fellowship.
What are the twelve steps and what is their purpose?
The Twelve Steps are the core of the Narcotics Anonymous program and are principles that the addict applies to all aspects of his life.
Narcotics Anonymous's Twelve Steps aim to provide clear, practical, and realistic guidance for changing behavior patterns and helping to change the key thought patterns that have long fueled an addict's drug use.
Working on the steps involves acknowledging that there is a problem, asking for help, disclosing what the addict has done or suffered in private with another recovering addict who is helping him implement the twelve steps, then providing repairs or compensation if possible to all the people the addict has harmed, and then helping other addicts who are seeking recovery.
By applying the Twelve Steps, (despair, resentment, control, denial, anger, vanity, pride, hatred, envy, revenge, fear, insecurity, lying, dishonesty, distrust, and impatience) are replaced with sublime spiritual principles: (hope, acceptance, faith, trust, humility, truthfulness, honesty, unconditional love, forgiveness, patience, and good intentions).
Does Narcotics Anonymous offer medical care or psychological counseling?
Narcotics Anonymous does not provide any medical care or psychological counseling to addicts, as it has no doctors, therapists, or specialists. It is simply a group of recovering addicts who help each other through the program's tools.
Is Narcotics Anonymous considered a religious group?
Narcotics Anonymous is not a religious group, nor does it seek to change the religions of addicts or direct them to specific religious beliefs. It cares about the addict, whatever his religion, race or color, and offers him assistance.
What goes on in Narcotics Anonymous meetings?
Narcotics Anonymous meetings begin with some readings from Narcotics Anonymous books and literature only, then addicts talk about their experiences of how they were able to abstain from drug use, the challenges they faced in their recovery and how they overcame them, and what they hope to achieve regarding their recovery. Everyone who speaks at Narcotics Anonymous meetings speaks only about themselves and not about others. They do not comment on others' posts, interrupt each other, or give direct advice, but rather share their personal experiences. When someone feels they need help with recovery, they ask the group for it.
They also set aside time during the meeting to welcome newly joined members.
Are there other things discussed in the meetings?
Nothing unrelated to recovery is discussed in Narcotics Anonymous.
If an exceptional event occurs in the community or news is reported in the media or on social media, do you talk about it or express an opinion or viewpoint on the subject?
Narcotics Anonymous has a tradition of refraining from discussing any matter outside the scope of its program. Furthermore, Narcotics Anonymous does not express opinions, either for or against, on religious, political, or economic matters, nor even on topics related to the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. Narcotics Anonymous is solely concerned with helping addicts abstain from drugs, overcome cravings, and achieve a better life through its program.
Do you have private headquarters in Saudi Arabia where you hold your meetings?
No, Narcotics Anonymous does not have its own headquarters in Saudi Arabia. We obtain rooms for recovery meetings from non-profit organizations, government or private hospitals, addiction treatment centers, or we rent a specific space in a cafe.
Do you offer any other services besides holding recovery meetings?
Yes, we always strive to cooperate with addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers, as well as with prisons and correctional facilities, in order to reach addicts and inform them about Narcotics Anonymous and provide publications and books related to Narcotics Anonymous. We also introduce Narcotics Anonymous to both specialists and the general public.
How long does any Narcotics Anonymous meeting take?
Meetings typically last from one hour to one and a half hours.
Can a non-addict attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings? The meetings are intended only for addicts or those who believe they have a problem with drug use, but in very rare cases the meeting is open to non-addicts.
It should be noted here that there are two types of meetings:
Closed meetings are those that only addicts can attend.
Open meetings are those that allow non-addicted visitors, specialists, and interested parties who wish to closely observe Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as well as families and friends of addicts who are allowed to attend when members celebrate their recovery periods. Usually, attendance is just for viewing and listening.
If you wish to attend any meeting, pay attention to whether the meeting is closed or open. Those wishing to attend can inform the group in advance so that visitors who are not addicts can be announced.
Why are you anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous, as a program, is not anonymous. Meeting locations and times are publicly available online, and telephone helpline numbers are also published online. However, the personal names and photos of members and their family names are not published publicly in order to protect their privacy and anonymity.
Anonymity also helps to avoid discriminating against members, since everyone is equal. Narcotics Anonymous believes that maintaining personal anonymity is an attraction for addicts, so the addict does not fear any repercussions because of his decision to join the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.
Why doesn't Narcotics Anonymous promote its program by using celebrities, for example?
Recovery in Narcotics Anonymous is based primarily on attraction, not publicity. We believe that using famous personalities for publicity will most likely lead to the famous person's name being associated with Narcotics Anonymous, and it is possible that the person will unintentionally become a representative of the program, which goes against the traditions of Narcotics Anonymous. Also, when celebrities join the Narcotics Anonymous program and recover, they do not promote the program because if the famous member relapses, Narcotics Anonymous will lose its credibility .
Where do you get the money to support your activities?
Narcotics Anonymous groups are entirely self-funded by their members. The Narcotics Anonymous fellowship's need for money is very limited, and the money is used to pay the rent for the meeting place if it is rented, to provide coffee and tea at meetings, and to purchase Narcotics Anonymous books and literature.
Can someone who is not a member of Narcotics Anonymous donate to it?
No, Narcotics Anonymous does not accept donations from outside its membership. This is due to a specific tradition that prohibits it, and also because money would distract the fellowship from its purpose of helping addicts learn self-reliance and meet their own needs. As mentioned in the previous answer, the fellowship's need for money is very limited.
What is your message? And what do you seek to achieve?
We strive to reach every addict who is still suffering from drug abuse in order to convey to them the message of the Narcotics Anonymous program, which states: "Every addict and any addict can abstain from drug use, lose the desire to use it, and find a better way of life."
Where can we find the dates and locations of Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Saudi Arabia?
