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Narcotics Anonymous

T

That White Bitch

Greenlighter
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
9
Location
Shoreline, WA
I just attended my first meeting yesterday and was very impressed. I was wondering if anyone on here has any compliments or criticisms of what appears to be a wonderful program, at least for some people.
 
Its a great place place to make new heroin hookups... go to AA if you really want recovery, NA anjd CA are for hookups in my area...
 
I spent 2.5 years working a very good NA program while modding a drug discussion forum here on BL. I have great affection for the organization and the friends I made there.

That said, I don't know if creating a bluelight account and soliciting advice on recovery from a bunch of people who you don't know on a drug discussion board is a good way to gauge anything. People's opinions range all over the spectrum in TDS about 12 steps programs, and IMO, most of those opinions are shit ;)

for what its worth, though, I'll add that AA in my area sucks balls, and was nothing but a bunch of sun burnt golfers with silver hair who had a problem with drug users, while NA was chock full of very cool, intelligent, sexy people my own age who were very accepting of anybody. I understand, however, that these are regional differences, and have nothing to do with the content of the programs.
 
After observing the many polarised opinions about NA/AA twelve steps etc, I went & spent sometime on the local website, I was even going to attend a meeting & see how it went, but that never quite happened. One thing though, there are ( as atlas pointed out ) clearly differences in the attitudes & beliefs of different areas & within those areas the beliefs/ideas of the individuals themselves. However one thing I did manage to clear up was the fallacy that one needs to have some kind of a religious belief. I imagine that it could work for some people definitely, others maybe not so , & that probably would be down to the local group dynamic ( like so many things in life) .

One thiing is certain, they are (ostensibly anyway) offerring support & aftercare that isn't forthcoming in Britain on the NHS which seems to concentrate it's efforts upon getting the user to stop using then happily casts them adrift 8)

If you're struggling I can't really see what you would have to lose TBH.:)
 
any 12 step program is really only gonna be as good as the effort you are willing to put into it. that being said, having it be an interesting group of people is a good thing too. I really prefer AA to NA in my area, just because AA had a lot more people in it, and a lot more sobriety. Also, i tend to have an easier time connecting with grown up people than i do with kids in their 20's.

anyways give it a go, try to work the steps once atleast before you make up your mind. doing that 5th step was the real deal for me, same with some of my 9th step ammends... life changing experiences. There is a lot to be said about dealing with the wreckage of the past (atleast if you think you have wreckage in your past).
 
this program is something anique, & it really works but, if you believe in it, you won't be ever able to enjoy drugs again. some ppl that meet the program & back to use, sometimes share that they regret they ever met it... so you better make a serious choise for the rest of your life!

if you sick of drugs & feel like you have no hope, go become a program freak... don't go there if you aren't sure on yourself imho.

my 2c
 
I would go to check it out, if you want to quit then they might be helpful. If not, what is the worst that will happen? You will hear other peoples experiences.
 
I definitely agree that you get out of it what you put into it. It will fuck with your getting high though if you stick around for a while and decide to go back to using. I know from personal experience. I have, however, found my way back and have managed to stay off all drugs for a few years. I would say keep an open mind, find some people that you can relate to, and follow their direction. As far as the people go in my area, there are some crazy complete assholes that I stay away from and some really cool people I have become close friends with. I guess just like anywhere else in life
 
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Liquid Child said:
I definitely agree that you get out of it what you put into it. It will fuck with your getting high though if you stick around for a while and decide to go back to using. I know from personal experience.
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Somewhat true IME, but stay away for 10+ years and develop a negative opinion about the program and it's different. Anything can cause a guilt trip, but IME drugs are powerful enough that it doesn't last too long.
 
I was forced (by the law, not my parents) to go to some NA meetings after I got arrested with 3 somas when I was 16. It was pretty ridiculous. The people running the meetings didn't have half their facts straight and were always integrating hardcore religious overtones into the discussions. All the kids would pretend to want to change during the meetings then make drug deals on break. Pointless.
 
I have bad experiences with AA meetings, and have only heard worse about NA meetings. I was in the process to start my own disgruntled AA meeting (its easy to do in my area) so my friends and I who are forced to go to meetings by the court can come chill under the guise of AA. Well I got injured the other day and I'm bedridden, so that plan will have to wait a while.

AA, it works if you work it?
AA, it brainwashes you if you let it
 
As a former addict who attended MANY NA and AA meetings, as well as attended several 12 step rehab programs, I can tell you that IMO the program is actually harmful to people.

I ended up working as a drug counselor for a NON-12 step rehab for several years. (because I went through and it worked wonders for me)

I am NOT an addict anymore. NA would have you believe that once you are an addict you are always an addict. This is bullshit.

They will have you believe that you are suffering from a progressive and incurable illness. This is also total bullshit.

Despite the AMA determining addiction as a disease, I don't buy it. The company I worked for has sooooo much research proving otherwise I can't help but believe them. (yes, doctors and professional scientific researchers did the studies. see first link below)

AA and NA perfectly fit the definition of a cult.

I personally believe that addiction is a choice. We decide to do these things. Changing your life is quite difficult, and being sober long enough to radically shift your paradigm is required.

I was a completely bottomed out and insane heroin and IV cocaine addict for 7 years. I also smoked copious amounts of crack. I was very bad off.

I changed my entire life through the help of people who told me I could change. That is was up to me to change.

They didn't blame my family, my childhood, any false notion of a disease, or tell me to surrender my will to a higher power. They helped me to realize that I needed to be 100 percent dedicated to changing everything about my life.

Most NA and AA meetings I have attended are just people focusing on how they are drudging through life one day at a time just trying not to abuse drugs and alcohol. If you need to go to meetings for the rest of your life and feel like you always want to use, then you have not beat the drugs. They still control your life.

I was totally sober for several years, and now I easily moderate alcohol and psychedelics. I don't use heroin anymore, and have only done a few bumps of coke since I picked up drinking again. I don't have any desire to do it.

I am happy, and motivated, and doing the proper things in life to ensure I am successful.

Make up your mind that you want to quit, and get help.
Statistically speaking AA and NA actually hurt your chances of staying sober. They make you believe you are 'one drink away from total relapse and failure'. They make you believe it is not your fault you are an addict.
they make you believe you are powerless over your addictions.

Let me tell you... you have NOTHING but POWER over what direction your life takes.

read this one first
this site has a lot of info as well
 
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Chaos23 said:
They will have you believe that you are suffering from a progressive and incurable illness. This is also total bullshit.

Despite the AMA determining addiction as a disease, I don't buy it.
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Most people don't until they reach the end stages. At that point, believe me... everything becomes clear. As daylight. You can ignore a dripping faucet, but a firehose turned on you is rather difficult...

P.S. good for you, success is awesome. I won't tell you many people cannot moderate, because you probably won't believe it... it's a brain issue, i.e. the hardware. IMO it depends alot on the drug(s) in question, which of course NA does not promote as a belief.
 
As far as NA goes, two junkies will probably have three opinions. I'm of the opinion that it works for some (~10% I believe) but it is cultish and rather rigid in it's definitions of addiction and recovery. Not my bag. I do not buy into the disease concept of addiction. But whatever works for you to help you with your demons is all right in my book. I'd suggest that you check out the work of Stanton Peele and Rational Recovery, but TO EACH THEIR OWN with regards to recover.
 
MDPVagrant said:
Most people don't until they reach the end stages. At that point, believe me... everything becomes clear. As daylight. You can ignore a dripping faucet, but a firehose turned on you is rather difficult...

P.S. good for you, success is awesome. I won't tell you many people cannot moderate, because you probably won't believe it... it's a brain issue, i.e. the hardware. IMO it depends alot on the drug(s) in question, which of course NA does not promote as a belief.
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Let me remind you that I was a drug counselor for the most successful rehab in the world.

It teaches that addiction is not a disease, but a choice.

I have a degree in psychology, with cognitive behavioral psych as my specialty.

There is no evidence to suggest that addiction is truly a disease. It has the overall symptoms of a disease, but it is still just a life choice.

i am not an addict anymore.
Moderation is possible, but I wouldn't even dream of trying that with heroin. (my former DOC)

There is no tangible evidence of this disease. It is addiction, not a disease. Choice is choice... We all can decide to live like addicts, or make a profound change in who we are and what we are doing with our lives.

I have seen it happen with many people.

In fact, statistically speaking, most people who sober up and stop ruining their lives with drugs do it without any program.

It is the programs that teach this disease concept which perpetuate the drug use and mind set of being powerless.
 
Chaos23 said:
Let me remind you that I was a drug counselor for the most successful rehab in the world.

It teaches that addiction is not a disease, but a choice.

I have a degree in psychology, with cognitive behavioral psych as my specialty.
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Congratulations...
There is no evidence to suggest that addiction is truly a disease. It has the overall symptoms of a disease, but it is still just a life choice.
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You have a right to your opinion... you haven't lived in my skin though, so I don't expect you to relate. I agree with some of the 'read this first' link you posted, maybe 25-30%... the rest is sheer dogma. Puts NA to shame in that regard, actually... not to mention they didn't credit Jack Trimpey, who invented most of it.
 
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