I’ve heard a lot of negative things about NA, so I’ve only gone to AA meetings so far. Although, honestly, not drinking is so much easier for me than not getting high.
Reached out to a temp sponsor in AA, but I’m wondering if I would benefit more from NA sponsor.
Can someone break down the differences between NA and AA?
Obviously, NA is for narcotics, but is there anything else I should know? Is is spirituality based like AA? Are they interchangeable programs?
NA is a younger more hard core crowd. More open and less traditionalist. Also, alcohol is also a drug. In NA you can admit you are an addict without being told to only say you are an alcoholic. If you are drug oriented and younger sounds like NA will work also. Although, both are step oriented. I still do a regular AA weekly tho I prefer the atmosphere of NA better on a daily basis. Here is a decent small lots of clean time meeting at noon daily eastern time you might want to check on zoom. Can just sit and listen and not appear:
Meeting ID: 269 359 9218 Password: 12345
About the same. Do both. The more meetings the better. It’s important to find a sponsor that has similar experiences and can help you navigate life without your DOC. I would not sponsor someone who’s DOC is a narcotic. Not because of any judgment, but because I don’t know the drug scene. I can help people stay out of the bar, but not the trap house. So if narcotics are your problem I would suggest NA for a sponsor. Like I said go to as many of both. Same 12 steps. Same kind of people battling chemical addiction. If any of them kick you out, it’s probably just a bad group. Not a bad program.
The stereotype the people in AA are hostile to other addictions isn’t true anymore ( mostly). So many people have multiple struggles nowadays.
I do either, and I’m comfortable at either. There are pros/cons, and every meeting is different. I say I’m an alcoholic/addict at every meeting. If someone has a problem with that, too bad.
I fucken hate it when an old timer tells someone to limit their share to their struggles with alcohol. So if you’re hearing that sh1te and it bugs you go to a new meeting.
The ‘N’
I’m not really sure other then NA is narcotics , AA is alcohol which you already know. I know they use AA 12 step is used in NA GA . Since being clean life is so different , I find nite time to
be the hardest , those temptations come creeping up. I don’t really have many friends left or even to talk to , friends all go their own ways get married have kids while I’m (was) going out and getting getting high because I never wanted it to end. Now I’m clean I feel good ,I can’t sleep can stay up for days and not feel tired my mind races 100MPH , my doctor said it’s called PAWS can take 3 -24 months for the brain to heal and rewire it self and my  appetite isn’t 100% there yet, I have to force myself to eat some times , I’m. I see you live in Howell I’m in Brick, it would be nice to make new friends and talk to somebody that understands , my 2 friends don’t understand what addiction is and it’s hard to talk to them even after explaining to them , they look at you after your done trying to explain with this odd blank look on their face. I have gone to meetings , I go 3 x a week . It’s a hard age to be in this situation.
coda meeting, addicted to harmful relationships, an addict is a addict and we look for mind altering things, from one to another to another, tge steps tge answer, you can take tge elevator to hadies, you can get off any time, and take tge steps, tge pain well push you if you don't die first,
Hi I'm 6 years sober I am both an alcoholic and an addict but I was more of an addict trust me AA meetings are a lot better
One hour vs 1.5 hours alcohol is always first so I do think that AA is best.
I believe they are both useful, go to both and see which one ur comfortable with and go to the opposite, get uncomfortable, change is uncomfortable but necessary in sobriety.. but don’t do it alone!! Raise ur hand and let them know u need help and you need a sponsor.
Na focus addiction as a whole drugs alcohol nookie food ect it can be a little intense aa is a easier way to start a 12 step experience.
Almost every AA meeting I’ve attended, several folks identify as addict/alcoholic, or just one or the other. I had a friend who was much more an addict than a drinker, but found NA risky, said it was tougher. Prefers AA abs has been sober going on 8 yrs, 2 very short lived relapses.
That’s me 
. Alcohol is one of several DOC’s for me…maybe my 3rd choice. AA feels comfy, cozy, and safe to me. Never tried NA so I can’t really compare. They are similar, and both wonderful programs that do work for many.
I would suggest going to different aa and na meetings as they all have their own vibe. Some are older more traditionalist, some are more open, some are the younger crowd, some groups will have more old timers or folks with good quality sobriety- try them all and see what feels like home. I think in todays days and age nobody is going to crucify you for saying addict/alcoholic or both...I mean we're all sick trying to get well. CA (cocaine anonymous) is all inclusive- it doesn't matter what you identify as, and they use the AA big book. Keep trying until you find what fits! Good luck 
They are both 12 step programs that use the same basic text. Check out meetings to see where you feel more connected.
NA is all drug inclusive it dose not matter what you are addicted to your a member when you say you are were as AA purist like the believe that AA is alcoholic only because alcohol was the prime addictive chemical the first 100 were trying to get off
AA has a better success rate.
This is just me…I started in AA however, when the drink wasn’t the hard part anymore and the pain pills were I went to NA.
I found I really could relate to the group. I hadn’t had much exposure to meth or heroin but a drug is a drug.. alcohol, as well. I still hit both but center more on NA.