Recovery begins with connection, and for millions of people around the world, that connection starts with a 12-step meeting. But while most have heard of AA and NA, few understand how the two differ, how each works, and what alternatives exist today for people seeking support outside of traditional 12-step programs.
This guide explains the origins, philosophies, and structures of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), along with how both can complement professional treatment programs at centers like Brooks Healing Center.
What Is AA?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith as a fellowship for individuals seeking recovery from alcohol addiction.
Its foundation rests on the idea that addiction is a disease of mind, body, and spirit, and that long-term sobriety is achieved through shared experience, honesty, accountability, and reliance on a higher power.
AA’s program is outlined in the Twelve Steps, a spiritual framework that encourages members to admit powerlessness over alcohol, make amends for past wrongs, and maintain ongoing spiritual growth.
Core Beliefs of AA:
- Alcoholism is a chronic illness, not a moral failure
- Recovery depends on mutual support, humility, and service
- Faith or spirituality (not necessarily religion) helps restore balance
- Sobriety is a lifelong journey of progress, not perfection
What Is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was founded in 1953 as an offshoot of AA to support individuals recovering from drug addiction, including prescription drugs, stimulants, or opioids.
While NA follows the same 12-step model, it replaces “alcohol” with “addiction,” making it inclusive of any substance or behavioral dependency.
NA focuses on shared lived experience, one addict helping another, with the belief that anyone can recover, regardless of the drug used or the length of addiction.
Core Beliefs of NA:
- All forms of addiction share the same underlying disease
- Peer support and service to others sustain long-term recovery
- A spiritual awakening helps restore purpose and identity
- Anyone seeking freedom from addiction is welcome
The 12 Steps of NA and AA
Though their wording differs slightly, both programs guide members through a similar spiritual and behavioral transformation.
| Step | 12 Steps of AA | 12 Steps of NA |
| 1 | Admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. | Admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. |
| 2 | Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. | Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. |
| 3 | Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. | Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. |
| 4 | Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. | Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. |
| 5 | Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. | Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. |
| 6 | Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. | Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. |
| 7 | Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. | Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. |
| 8 | Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. | Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. |
| 9 | Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. | Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. |
| 10 | Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. | Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. |
| 11 | Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God. | Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God. |
| 12 | Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. | Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. |
Both AA and NA use sponsorship, a mentor relationship, to guide new members through the steps. While AA and NA provide community-based support, clinical programs often integrate similar principles alongside therapy and medical care.
Both AA and NA describe a process of spiritual awakening that leads to emotional freedom and renewed purpose — often described in The Promises of AA.
How It Works: NA and AA
The structure of both programs is simple yet powerful:
- Open or closed meetings (for anyone or for those identifying as addicts/alcoholics)
- Group readings from the Big Book (AA) or Basic Text (NA)
- Sharing sessions, where members speak freely without interruption or judgment
- Sponsorship and service, offering accountability and purpose
In NA, the slogan “One addict helping another is without parallel” captures the heart of its method. Both programs emphasize progress over perfection and daily recommitment to sobriety.
Members often speak of experiencing spiritual renewal and hope as they progress through the steps, something beautifully expressed in The Promises of AA. Even after achieving abstinence, some people experience emotional relapse or frustration without deeper personal growth. sometimes referred to as a dry drunk in recovery communities.
AA/NA Meetings and Accessibility
AA and NA meetings are available worldwide, both in-person and online.
You can find nearby meetings using:
Most meetings are free, self-sustaining, and confidential. Many treatment centers, including Brooks Healing Center, encourage clients to explore AA or NA as a part of aftercare and community support.
Alternatives to AA and NA
While AA and NA remain the most well-known recovery fellowships, they may not fit everyone’s beliefs or personality. Fortunately, there are alternatives that offer secular, evidence-based, or hybrid approaches to long-term recovery:
| Alternative Program | Focus | Website |
| SMART Recovery | Science-based, self-management and CBT tools | https://www.smartrecovery.org |
| Refuge Recovery | Buddhist principles and mindfulness | https://www.refugerecovery.org |
| Celebrate Recovery | Christ-centered 12-step program | https://www.celebraterecovery.com |
| LifeRing Secular Recovery | Peer-based, non-religious community | https://www.lifering.org |
| Women for Sobriety (WFS) | Empowerment and emotional growth for women | https://womenforsobriety.org |
Many people find success blending 12-step and non-12-step resources depending on their spiritual beliefs and recovery goals.
How Brooks Healing Center Supports All Paths of Recovery
At Brooks Healing Center, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Whether someone feels connected to AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or prefers a holistic path, our team helps clients build a treatment plan that matches their personal and spiritual values.
We integrate evidence-based therapies, dual-diagnosis treatment, and peer support, empowering each person to create sustainable recovery, regardless of the framework they choose. Our clinicians may incorporate elements of 12-Step recovery into therapy when it aligns with a client’s goals, while also offering holistic and evidence-based approaches.
Whether you find hope in the Twelve Steps or a secular path, healing begins when you reach out for help. Brooks Healing Center is here to walk with you through every step of recovery.
FAQ’s
What is the main difference between AA and NA?
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) focuses on recovery from alcohol use disorder, while NA (Narcotics Anonymous) supports people recovering from any type of drug or substance addiction. Both use the Twelve Steps but tailor language and discussion topics to their members’ experiences.
Can someone attend both AA and NA meetings?
Yes. Many individuals in recovery attend both AA and NA meetings, especially if they have a history of both alcohol and drug use. Each fellowship welcomes anyone seeking freedom from addiction, regardless of which substance caused harm.
How do NA meetings work compared to AA meetings?
NA meetings usually follow a similar format—readings, sharing, and discussion—but emphasize recovery from “addiction” rather than alcohol specifically. The Basic Text and NA readings replace the AA Big Book to reflect broader inclusivity.
Are AA and NA religious programs?
Neither program is tied to any religion. Both are spiritual in nature, encouraging members to find a “Higher Power” of their own understanding. People of all faiths—or no faith—are welcome.
Is there a cost to attend AA or NA?
No. Both AA and NA are self-supporting, non-profit fellowships. There are no membership fees or dues, although voluntary donations help cover local meeting expenses.
Are there other programs like AA and NA?
Yes. Some individuals prefer secular or alternative programs such as SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery, which each approach recovery through different spiritual or evidence-based frameworks.
Sources
- Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. (2024). About AA. https://www.aa.org/what-is-aa
- Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. (2024). Twelve Steps of AA. https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps
- Narcotics Anonymous World Services. (2024). What is NA? https://na.org/what-is-na
- Narcotics Anonymous World Services. (2024). The Twelve Steps of NA. https://na.org/meetingsearch
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). Recovery support and mutual aid groups. https://www.samhsa.gov/brss-tacs/recovery-support-tools/mutual-aid
- SMART Recovery. (2024). How SMART Recovery works. https://www.smartrecovery.org
- Celebrate Recovery. (2024). About Celebrate Recovery. https://www.celebraterecovery.com/about
