Two fellowships, one approach
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are peer-support fellowships. They are made up of members who meet to help each other stay free of alcohol or drugs. Neither is a medical organization, neither employs clinicians to run meetings, and neither is owned by a company or a treatment provider.
Both use a 12-step program as a framework for personal change and mutual support. Meetings are where that framework becomes practical: members share what is working, what is difficult, and how they got through it.
What membership actually means
In AA the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. In NA the only requirement is a desire to stop using. There are no fees, no contracts, and no intake forms. Members are not asked to disclose their identity, their history, or anything else to attend.
Groups support themselves through voluntary contributions from members, which is why meetings are free to attend and why the fellowships guard their independence from outside funding.
What AA and NA do not do
Neither fellowship provides medical care, psychiatric treatment, detoxification, or therapy. They do not offer medical advice, they do not verify anyone's diagnosis, and they do not guarantee any outcome. Attendance at a meeting is peer support, not treatment.
For some substances and for some people, withdrawal is a medical event. Severe alcohol or sedative withdrawal can be life-threatening and needs emergency medical care, not a meeting.
Why people combine approaches
Many people attend meetings alongside counseling, medication, or a treatment program, and many use meetings as their primary source of support. Neither path is more legitimate than the other, and the combination that works is a personal decision made with the people involved in your care.
Keep reading
This article is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace assessment or care from a qualified professional. See our terms of use and directory disclaimer.