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| 10/21/2009 | Email this article • Print this article | Narcotics Anonymous Helps Addicts Recover from Their Habit
By Amy Doeun
For those struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol help is as little as a phone call away. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is over 30 years old. This organization is completely self-sustaining and anonymous. The purpose of maintaining anonymous status is so that those seeking help with an addiction "can attend meetings without fear of legal or social repercussions."
The meetings are informal with one or more members taking turns leading out. Anyone who would like to stop using drugs may be a member. "NA's primary approach to recovery is its belief in the therapeutic value of one addict helping another. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction."
HMONG TIMES met with Chris and Rochelle (names have been changed) of Narcotics Anonymous. They shared that the meetings are often set up on a "common needs" basis. For example, women may have their own meetings, as well as veterans. Sexual orientation or ethnicity could be another common need. Currently there are no common needs groups serving a primarily Hmong audience. Chris said, "As a white person, I can't start a meeting for non-whites. It works best when someone from that sub-group starts it." Currently over 300 groups meet in Minnesota weekly.
For those facing recovery from drug addiction it can a long and bumpy road. Chris explained that, "When they first get clean, they [find] have been spending all their time using and finding drugs. Now they have all these free hours on their hands. It is very easy to fall back into bad habits." For this reason recovering addicts often attend one or more groups throughout the week, sometimes daily to help maintain focus.
In 1978 NA was in 3 countries with 200 registered groups. Now it is estimated that there are over 53,000 meetings weekly in 130 countries. "NA is spiritual but non-religious," Chris said. For example in Iran there was a big problem with drug use due to growing heroin poppies. NA approached the government and offered to help. After examining the program they decided to allow NA into the country because it would not conflict with their Muslim doctrines. Now there are 10,000 meetings every week in that country alone."
In an effort to reach out to the public and educate them, NA offers Community Awareness meetings, Health Fairs and Conferences and Services to Hospitals and Institutions. "Hospitals know they are part of the problem." Chris explained that addicts will often go to emergency rooms complaining of severe pain, when in actuality they are seeking drugs. The problem is the staff at the hospitals does not have time to adequately analyze the situation of each patient. NA provides training for healthcare workers.
The real success though is in the lives of the people. Rochelle explained "We try to make a community. It's like a little family after awhile, to be honest." There are several events planned for the holidays. "It's really important to have an option to have somewhere to go to have a little fun ... a lot of people come into this without a sense of purpose or belonging." Service projects are another useful way for former addicts to get involved.
Educational materials are currently available in English, Russian and Spanish at most libraries. They are looking for Hmong Translators. For more information on NA call (952) 939-3939.
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St. Paul, MN
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