NA versus AA? For the past 2 weeks I’ve been attempting to be sober from alcohol and have made days in between. I’ve attended at least 8 AA meetings since starting. However, I also tend to find myself abusing pills of all sorts almost daily cause I’m always chasing some high but anyways I just wanted to know if I should give NA meetings a try too? Is there a difference I should be aware of? Thank you in advance!
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No the NA meetings I attended followed the AA 12 step program. Same format, just pills instead of alcohol. Principal is the same...addiction. Just google NA, and the places where meetings are held will pop up.
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I’ve gone to both. They are pretty much the same. Just different stories (kind of). The important part is finding a group of people you can relate to, and find a sponsor. If alcohol is your DOC, though, I would find a sponsor from AA. They will likely be better at helping you navigate life without booze. If it’s narcotics that are the problem, I would say the opposite. Find a sponsor from NA. More relatable stories and experiences, you know?
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Alcohol is also a drug by the way. NA is a younger crowd with less stringent controls. For instance, you say you are an addict when sharing you’ll hear about it after the meeting from old timers. They have a hard time admitting alcoholism is also an addiction. Yet, I have a regular AA meeting I attend weekly to keep in touch. Both are about the same thing, staying clean and sober. Both are about the same steps. Just what you feel most comfortable with is all that matters. I suggest checking both out from time to time. Good luck
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Get in where you fit in brother.
In NA it’s all inclusive.. without AA most likely we would not have NA.
“Get in where you fit in.”
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Great saying! Thanks for the advice
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This makes a lot of sense for sure, thank you!
I'm primarily AA but I also attend NA meetings. If you think you might be an addict, it wouldn't hurt giving NA a try. I look at alcohol from both perspectives and I've also been addicted to drugs but I call myself an alcoholic. That's just my perspective. NA works so why not try it?
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NA doesn’t give alcohol any special status - it is considered just another drug, another mind-altering substance. In NA, identification as an addict is all-inclusive; self-identifying as an alcoholic is not necessary. NA is a spiritual, not religious program; thus they do not close meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. They greet each other with hugs instead of handshakes (hugs, not drugs). Those are the differences that I’ve noticed. Other than that it is the same as AA - focusing on abstinence, working the Steps with a sponsor, and helping people with what they want to do about their problem. I hope this helps!
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