I have a fairly positive opinion of NA, though I understand why many others do not. Not everyone's belief systems are compatible with NA. Many other diverse impressions of NA are formed based on the kind of meetings there are in their area which may not reflect the common attitudes of NA meetings in other areas. There's a fairly large degree to which NA beliefs are open to interpretation and are interpreted differently from group to group. Like what counts as clean, the nature of a higher power, etc.
The area I live in is fairly progressive and so NA meetings here reflect a fairly liberal interpretation. By which I mean there is no religious component to meetings of any kind that I've heard of other people being alienated by in their local meetings. Outside of the basic belief in some vague concept of a higher power of your choosing. What counts as clean (with regards to maintenance) is fairly broad. So to me, NA is simply a spiritual and social support program for those with drug problems to seek support and help from those who have found NA's way of getting clean to have been helpful to them. Nevertheless, I recognize some people won't be able to reconcile NA's spiritual component with their own beliefs, or may find the groups in their area to be much less open minded than the ones where I live.
NA's a way, perhaps not the best way, and certainly not the only way. There are valid criticisms to be made, but NA is a valid choice and a successful one for many.
The various meetings I've been too have generally always been fairly supportive, non-confrontational, non-judging, and open.
