Transcript Document

Myths
&
Realities
Myth 1
NA is a secret society.
Reality 1
• We are a private organisation.
• We do our best to protect the
anonymity
of our members, though we do not
guarantee it.
• Anonymity makes it safer for
people to share, and creates
equality in meetings, regardless of
background or circumstances.
Myth 2
Narcotics Anonymous is
a cult.
Reality 2
• There are no leaders in NA; neither
do we have any central value system.
• 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.
Myth 3
NA is for heroin
addicts only.
Reality 3
• NA is open to anyone, regardless
of what they used.
• Our surveys show a membership
with very diverse histories of
drug use.
• NA is a program of complete
abstinence from all drugs,
including alcohol.
• NA’s help is available to all,
regardless of age, race, class,
religion or sexual orientation
Myth 4
NA is not for
those on
prescribed
medications, such
as methadone.
Reality 4
• The only requirement for
membership of NA is a desire
to stop using.
• NA pretends no medical
expertise, and we encourage
anyone coming to NA who is
on any form of prescribed
medication to seek medical
advice before stopping.
Myth 5
Everyone in NA is using
or dealing drugs.
Reality 5
• This is not our experience: in hundreds of
meetings we have never seen drugs used or
sold.
• You do not have to be clean to attend NA
meetings.
• If a person goes to an NA meeting seeking
drugs, it’s possible that they might find
what they are looking for (although this
is true almost anywhere).
• At the same time, if a person goes to an NA
meeting with a desire to stop using drugs,
there will definitely be members in the
meetings willing to help them.
Myth 6
NA is a religious
organization.
Reality 6
• The NA program is based on a set of
spiritual principles that are not associated
with a particular religion. Our steps call
for finding and believing in a power
greater than oneself.
• Members are free to choose a belief that
works for them personally. There is no
opposition to anyone’s choice within
Narcotics Anonymous.
• Experiences of our members show that the
spiritual principles work for all members,
whether devoutly religious (in any faith),
atheist, or agnostic.
Myth 7
NA is part of
criminal justice ~
church ~ probation
Reality 7
• We are not affiliated with any
outside organisations.
• We have no opinion on outside
issues.
• However, Narcotics Anonymous
is keen to build co-operative
relationships with any
organisations, based on our
common goals.
Myth 8
NA doesn’t work if
you are forced to go.
Reality 8
• Whilst the program of NA may not suit
everybody, we have found that regular
exposure to NA has helped many people stop
using drugs and find a new way of life.
• Many people who voluntarily commit to the
program of NA have stopped using drugs; we
see no reason why those who attend as part
of a treatment order or DRR should not
have the same success.
• Many of us first encountered NA when we
were sent to meetings by treatment centres,
or attended a meeting in prison. Once we
learned that recovery is possible in NA, we
continued to come of our own accord.
Myth 9
NA is not a safe place,
especially for women.
Reality 9
• One of the goals of NA is to establish and
maintain a safe and welcoming
environment, which we call ‘an atmosphere
of recovery’.
• Meetings are facilitated by people with at
least a year’s clean time in order to
achieve this.
• There are a number of meetings such as
women-only, men-only, and gay/lesbian and
child friendly where some members may feel
more comfortable.
• NA encourages members to support each
other and often suggests that MEMBERS
seek THE SAME SEX TO support in their
recovery efforts.
Myth 10
NA is just like AA.
Reality 10
• NA, founded in 1953 is a
fellowship in its own right, with
61,800 meetings worldwide (and
over 800 in the UK).
• NA has adapted the 12 Steps and
the 12 Traditions, for our own
use.
• In particular, our first Step uses
the word addiction rather
than referring to any specific
substance.
Myth 11
Only addicts can attend
NA meetings.
Reality 11
• There are two kinds of NA
meetings:
• A closed meeting is for people
who think they may have a
problem with drugs.
• An open meeting is exactly that;
open to anyone who wishes to
come..
Myth 12
There’s no point. Addicts
always use again.
Reality 12
• NA may not suit everyone, but we believe
that those who apply themselves to our
simple program can find freedom from
active addiction.
• We believe the statement “Once an addict,
always an addict” is a lie.
• Narcotics Anonymous has approximately
61,800 groups in 136 countries around the
world; we have literature translated into
65 languages.
• This simple program, known as Narcotics
Anonymous is proving itself in the lives of
addicts around the world.
Thank you !
If you have any questions
then please ask.