So wondering what you all think about NA and AA. More specifically that each operates as their own entity even though they’re rooted from one common similarity which is addiction to a substance or substances. I can say I understand the difference at face value between the two however fundamentally they’re exactly the same. It bothers me sometimes to think of either one considering the other as being less than. If you’re an addict then you’re an addict and it doesn’t matter what you’re addiction specifically is as a whole because it all boils down to that one core issue, we all suffer from the disease of addiction. As an example it makes me think of this type of scenario. Someone asks you where can I park my Mercedes vs where can I park my car. They’re both the same thing and end up in the same place made available for every vehicle because they’re all cars. Well we’re all addicts and I think there’s people that should understand that regardless of our specific addiction it’s still addiction and has no right or wrong and no good or bad. It’s good to be able to relate with other same substance addicts but to act as though one that’s not is a bad person is just ignorant. Please share any thoughts or experiences
Difference I find is one specifically centers on alcohol and the other doesn’t care. If in an AA meeting they prefer you state you are an alcoholic when sharing. In NA it doesn’t matter. Alcohol is also a drug. Personally I just state I’m an addict in both. Our disease isn’t about alcohol or drugs. It’s about addiction. So, both meetings are essential to recovery in my world. Both based in same principles. NA I find is more lenient when discussing our disease. I try never to swear in both yet NA it’s not a big deal. I got sober in the beginning through NA so it’s kind of my home. I do however attend an AA on a weekly basis also. Keeping all options open in recovery is the most important thing. Makes no difference which you prefer. Just get to a meeting is my motto. Also, this place helps reinforce those meetings. Thanks for the post.
So I guess one wrong is worse than the other right? Lol. Alcohol kills more people from its after effects than drugs. Just that drugs do it quicker. Both kill you. Each are a horrible disease. Alcohol is an accepted drug in society. My belief has always been, either ban all drugs, including alcohol, or make them all legal. When as a kid, we would sit around stoned on weed with cotton mouth and pissed we couldn’t get beer to make it go away. Lol. Could go down to the corner and cop any drug we wanted, yet not beer. If all drugs were legal, they’d be taxed and regulated instead of kids selling them on street corners. You want a shot of heroin, produce identification of age and get it. There is no difference between copping alcohol in a supermarket and copping drugs on the street corner other than ones regulated and the other isn’t. Both drugs. Just saying.
Thanks for the reply. I agree with you. The swearing part definitely depends on the NA meeting as far as my experiences. Some it’s pretty lax and others it’s not a big deal. I’m glad you see the commonality of our disease as well in that we’re all addicts with no distinction. I don’t hate on those that do but just think it’s closed minded. Hope you’re having a good day brother, be well
I’ll say I somewhat can agree with you only in the context of that being in active addiction. However in recovery, which is what I’m referencing, is where I can’t see making 2 subjects out of one. Thanks for your comment, I’ve heard that one before about the wallet and there’s a level of truth there. Have a great day brother
Sorry, went on a tangent. Lol. Just tired of hearing that reference as to say, one addiction is worse than the other. I see no difference. We have an addiction bug. One is no worse than the other. Making comparisons can be misleading and make one think they are better off than the other. We all struggle with the same disease….addiction.
I went to both very early on. For me Alcohol was what got me in trouble. It got me to do drugs, become an asshole, and it runs in my family. I love all things earth. There are good messages that come out of all kinds of recovery meetings. I learned this early on; take what you need from any meeting and leave the rest. I love AA, I work the AA program. I help other alcoholics/addicts. I’ve made friends in both places. I’ve tried recovery Dharma, life ring and here Loosid. It’s all wonderful information about our common disease. We are in this together. It doesn’t matter if your 5 miles from me or 5000 miles I’ll pick up that phone and say hello how can I help you today with your sobriety.
Preach on! Lol it’s f’d up but true. Reading that reminded me of a fault of mine that I don’t actually verbalize and it’s similar to my post. As an opiate addict that like so many others went from prescription pills to heroin I never once in my 10+ years of addiction used a needle. With that said I know I’ve had thoughts that that somehow had me in a better category of heroin addict when in reality needle or no needle I was still just a junkie in others eyes. Thankfully I moved past that thought because a user is a user regardless of method and it’s pointless to try and pick it apart like that.
Love it! Especially the “take what you need from any meeting and leave the rest” We’ll said Kevin. Thank you for the work and support you put in to help others suffering from addiction regardless of specifics. That’s how it should be for everyone. Be well brother
You’re welcome Mike. Thank you for sharing and letting me be of service. Remember it only takes two people to have a meeting.
Have a blessed day my friend
My thought is that there was AA long before there was ever an NA. When someone realized that addiction encompasses more than alcohol, NA was born. Hence, we now have gamblers anonymous, sexual addiction, so forth and so on. AA was the beginning of recognizing that people struggle with issues that thankfully can be addressed without the stigma and shame attached.
You’re definitely right but what I’m getting at is it seems the old school AA people have this thing against NA people to the point that they’re basically not welcome at their AA meetings
Great topic and great replies. I’ve been going to AA meetings since 1989. I consider myself an addict. I introduce myself in AA meetings as an alcoholic/addict out of respect to old timers who might have issues. I have had issues with alcohol, drugs, sex, and food. I don’t really care what others think, because my experience is my experience. I know I’m an addict and I will use any means to numb or avoid my feelings. I have buried myself into work, the gym/fitness, sports, etc just yo avoid sitting still and feeling. While I’m an AA guy, I also attend an SLA (sex and love anonymous) meetings once a week as well. I don’t worry what others think anymore. The God of my understanding loves me and accepts me just the way I am. That’s good enough for me 
I go to both. To me, there is no difference between the AA and NA, other than the attendees’ drug(s) of choice. The fellowship is slightly different in that the common struggles vary. I see no difference between drugs and alcohol, they’re all drugs. Anyone in recovery is someone in recovery, we’re all brothers.
And/or sisters. Sorry.
Love your comment and it’s message. Thank you for sharing
Right there with you brother, couldn’t agree more
I go to both meetings and I listen for the similarities not the differences. Yes there are people and personalities in both AA and na that have opinions on who should be where but in my opinion I'm hearing a message of recovery I can hear a message of recovery in both AA and na listen for the similarities not the differences
My home group is called Acceptance. All are welcome. Some identify as alcoholics. Some addicts. Some both.
We do read AA literature and base out step study out of the Big Book, but whatever.
I don’t see there being any differences between the two as they both teach ways towards long term sobriety. I guess what I was getting at was the segregation of the two as though they don’t deal with the same matter when they do. Though on a completely different level it’s similar to the segregation of blacks and whites in the old days. In both cases the only difference is details but the core matter is the same, both human beings and both addicts. Alcoholic is just a different way of saying addict. Just seems like the whole NA and AA thing should be one linear path to sobriety not split in two. That’s my feeling that I was trying to portray