We are a non-professional, non-profit organisation comprised of recovering addicts. Because of this we do not have the same referral systems you would expect in a professional organisation. This does not mean you cannot refer an addict to NA, you can give them the phone number of the national NA helpline (tel 0845 3733366) who will put them in touch with a recovering addict in their area. That person will be willing to talk to them and take them to their first meeting if they choose to go to one.

We do not force addicts to attend our meetings or judge them for not attending. Each addict must decide for themselves whether they want to become a member or not. This is an important decision that every addict must take and is their first step toward recovery.

Narcotics Anonymous is a global, community-based organization with multi-lingual and multicultural membership. NA was founded in 1953, and our membership growth was minimal during our initial twenty years as an organization. Since the publication of our Basic Text in 1983, the number of members and meetings has increased dramatically.

Today, NA members hold more than 43,900 meetings weekly in 127 countries. We offer recovery from the effects of addiction through working a twelve-step program, including regular attendance at group meetings. The group atmosphere provides help from peers and offers an ongoing support network for addicts who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Our name, Narcotics Anonymous, is not meant to imply a focus on any particular drug; NA’s approach makes no distinction between drugs including alcohol. Membership is free, and we have no affiliation with any organizations outside of NA including governments, religions, law enforcement groups, or medical and psychiatric associations. Through all of our service efforts and our cooperation with others seeking to help addicts, we strive to reach a day when every addict in the world has an opportunity to experience our message of recovery in his or her own language and culture.*

* from NAPR Handbook