Study participants mentioned several qualities of the AA fellowship and the AA program as helpful, such as identifying with other alcoholics, sharing, talking, and telling stories; having a sponsor, and working the steps. Those who said AA was not helpful said they couldn’t relate to others in AA groups, found there was too much negativity and complaining, or felt they could handle the problem on their own. For a more detailed description of this work, please see Robinson, Price, Kurtz, and Brower (2009). Evidence from multiple lines of research supports the effectiveness and practical importance of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Conference presenters discussed the relationship between 12-Step participation and abstinence among various populations, including adolescents, women, and urban drug users.

These steps guide the alcoholic into growing spiritually, becoming aware of the hurt and pain they have caused to themselves as well as to others, and making amends for that pain. As the person progresses through the program, he learns the importance of embracing 2c-b alcohol and drug foundation these principles throughout every area of his life. In addition, he also becomes passionate about and learns the skills to help others as they begin and complete their own journey toward sobriety. AA is built upon the premise of therapy via a support group.

Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the “Big Book,” presents the A.A. First published in 1939, its purpose was to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of A.A. Now translated into over 70 languages, it is still considered A.A.’s basic text. Like individual groups, the GSO is self-supporting.

United States treatment industry

You won’t be called upon to answer questions or speak at all. All you need to do is listen and learn as much as you can. Has been helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years. A.A.’s program of recovery is built on the simple foundation of one alcoholic sharing with another. Following his hospital discharge, Wilson joined the Oxford Group and tried to recruit other alcoholics to the group. These early efforts to help others kept him sober, but were ineffective in getting anyone else to join the group and get sober.

At first glance, it may seem as though your choice between AA and NA should be an obvious one. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll realize that’s not the case at all. While there are some similarities between the two groups, there are also some slight differences. You might be an alcoholic who is more comfortable with healing your addiction than blaming alcohol. If that is how you feel, Narcotics Anonymous might be the better option for you. In looking at the key differences between these two groups, you can find the right one for you.

Understanding the Differences: AA vs NA

One perspective sees them as “quasi-ritualized therapeutic sessions run by and for, alcoholics”.[59] There are a variety of meeting types some of which are listed below. At some point during the meeting a basket is passed around for voluntary donations. AA’s 7th tradition requires that groups be self-supporting, “declining outside contributions”.[14] Weekly meetings are listed in local AA directories in print, online and in apps.

Recovery works through one alcoholic sharing their experience with another. At 4-, 6-, and 8-year follow-up, girls (40% of the sample) had more abstinent days than boys. If respondents felt they could moderate their use of drugs and alcohol, rather than stop completely, this predicted less abstinence at each follow-up occasion. Both organizations also use the 12-step framework that guides members through their recovery.

1. However, despite declining attendance, early posttreatment attendance, even in relatively small amounts, predicted long-term helpful outcomes.
2. They make use of The Twelve Step Program, just as AA does.
3. If someone you care about has a drinking problem, A.A.
4. Attending 12-Step meetings, considering one’s self a member of a 12-Step fellowship, and working the steps at baseline were predictive of sustained abstinence over one year.

However, there are some differences between these two groups too, and they include more than just the addict’s chosen substance. While they may be subtle differences, they still exist. In the study sample, 12-Step participation was common and intensive after inpatient treatment but fell off over time. However, despite declining attendance, early posttreatment attendance, even in relatively small amounts, predicted long-term helpful outcomes. Specifically, it was found that for every meeting attended there was a subsequent gain of approximately 2 days of abstinence. Although the drop in attendance was noted, consistent attendance over time predicted favorable outcomes.

Disease concept of alcoholism

The Oxford Group, an evangelical Christian fellowship that flourished in the United States and England in the early 1900s, had a strong influence on the origins of AA. The Oxford Group was non-denominational, and its gray death is a drug so dangerous police say you shouldn’t even touch it members focused on erasing sin from daily life. The group did this by having members share their experiences with one another, make amends, examine themselves, make restitution for harm done, and engage in prayer.

He presented findings from his longitudinal study of teens in AA who were followed for 8 years. The sample was composed of 166 male and female teens (average age 16) who had completed an inpatient treatment program. First, Laudet examined the role of 12-Step affiliation—meeting attendance and involvement in 12-Step suggested activities—as predictors of abstinence sustained continuously over one or more years.

For men and women, doing service and having a home group was predictive of sustained abstinence over 3 years. Laudet discussed how some of these activities can be translated outside of the 12-Step context to benefit individuals who choose not to participate in 12-Step groups. Alcoholics fentanyl patch Anonymous (or AA) began in 1935 by two men who had one unified goal. They wanted to help alcoholics give up alcohol and empower them to help others do the same. The program is centered around twelve steps, which is often simply referred to as The Twelve Step Program.

If you are looking to speak with a member of NA about local services, start by reaching out to the local NA Area Service Committee through their website or phone line. Regions are made up of multiple Areas.Regions share resources and information on a broader scale than the local Area handles. Regions typically support Areas rather than act as the front line in service delivery. This is an effective way to connect with a local NA community. This search will pull up the closest 250 meetings to the location.

It does not accept donations from people or organizations outside of AA. Research tells us that about 40% of AA members who reach one year of sobriety will remain sober. This statistic increases the longer a member is sober.

These are people who have been where you are, and who want to invest in you the way others have invested in them. There aren’t many places where you will find that kind of support. As AA took off, there was a group of people who were struggling with addiction, but they lacked the type of support people received in AA. Because AA was designed to assist alcoholics, those who used recreational or prescription drugs weren’t included. As an answer to this dilemma, Narcotics Anonymous (or NA) was formed. Like AA, NA also utilizes the support group model of therapy because it has shown to be very effective in treating addictions of all kinds.