What are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)? 

It is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism and addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking or using drugs. 

The primary purpose of AA and NA is to stay sober and help other alcoholics and addicts to achieve sobriety. The AA and NA program, known as The Twelve Steps, provides a framework for self-examination and a road to recovery, free of alcohol and drugs.

Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

The AA 12 Steps are the essential principles of the recovery program, designed to help guide alcoholics and addicts through the overwhelming process of reclaiming their sobriety. Grounded in a spiritual approach, the 12 Steps serve as a roadmap for those battling alcoholism and addiction, not only on their journey to recovery but also throughout the rest of their lives.

12 Steps

 

1. 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol/addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable. 

1. 1. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity 

1. 1. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

1. 1. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

1. 1. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

1. 1. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

1. 1. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

1. 1. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

1. 1. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

1. 1. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

1. 1. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

1. 1. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.