Narcotics Anonymous

NA is very similar to AA. They are both free. They are both open to the public. And, they are both founded around the Twelve Steps. They also both hold meetings in nearly every city on Earth. 

However, they are slightly different. Narcotics Anonymous, as the name suggests, caters to addicts who use drugs other than alcohol. There are NA members who are cocaine addicts. There are heroin addicted members. There are members who are addicted to crystal meth, Adderall, and Vicodin. There are even members who suffer from marijuana addiction. 

As with AA, the group doesn’t judge. They don’t care what type of drugs a member has done. They don’t care what a member has done in the past. Their only concern is that each member works actively to get sober and stay that way. 

Some NA members go to meetings for a few years until they’re completely sober. Other members attend meetings for the rest of their lives. The group is a compassionate and supportive environment. Many addicts find that it’s exactly the resource they need to stay clean.

Al-Anon

Addiction is an all-encompassing disease. It affects every aspect of an addict’s life. Their physical health suffers. Their emotional health suffers. Their financial, professional, and personal life suffers, too. 

Unfortunately, their condition often affects the people around them. Their family and friends are affected just as much as the addict themselves. 

This is an overwhelming situation for family members. It’s easy to feel scared, guilty, angry, and depressed. Over time, these feelings can take a massive toll on someone’s well being. 

This is why Al-Anon exists. This organization holds free support groups for the people who love an addict. It offers a safe space where people can go to find compassion. 

In these meetings, members convene to discuss their pain and offer support. They give advice. They update each other on their situation. And, ultimately, they work toward coping with the complex feelings this situation generates. 

Loving an addict isn’t easy. But, it should never ruin someone’s life. Like addicts, they also need someone to talk to. Anyone who is affected by the addiction of another person should do themselves a favor and attend one of these meetings.