Narcotics Anonymous History

Narcotics Anonymous (NA), was developed in the late 1940’s as an extension of Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA (Narcotics Anonymous World Services Inc., 2014b). However, the first documented NA meeting was in 1953, according to Project Ninety, Inc. (n.d.). The founder, Jimmy Kinnon, worked alongside others who had laid the foundation for AA (Project Ninety Inc., n.d.). Project Ninety, Inc. states that Jimmy and his co-workers worked diligently to develop the bylaws of this organization. In 1953, they were given permission to use the 12-steps of AA in their meetings and literature. In 1954, Project Ninety, Inc., states that Jimmy and his co-workers developed the “Little Yellow Booklet,” now known as “The White Booklet,” (NAWS Inc., 2014b), which

Instead, Project Ninety, Inc. (n.d) states that NA did not become recognized as a valuable asset to those struggling with addictions. Those within NA did take the 12-traditions of NA seriously, and according to Project Ninety, Inc., fellowships began to look to the public for monetary help. It took years, according to Project Ninety, Inc. for NA to gain national recognition as an organization with helpful benefits for those struggling with narcotic addictions.
Once NA started to follow the 12-traditions more closely and gained in membership, NA became one of the most popular organization of its’ kind (NAWS Inc., 2014b). Today, according to Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2014b), NA can be found throughout most parts of North and South America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Russia. On average NAWS, Inc. reports more than 63,000 weekly meetings being held all around the world. Needless to say, with growth comes growing

The building that held these meetings was separate from the main building, and dedicated solely to NA. While it was not in the best shape, it provided a safe place for members to come and discuss their journey to sobriety. When I first arrived to the meeting, there was a sign on the outside of the door welcoming members, and asking them to enter quietly. The chairs were set-up in a circle, with NA literature distributed on different chairs. This meeting was an open discussion, which focused on where members were at the time in their sobriety. At first, no one wanted to talk, but slowly people started opening up. After some time went by, members were more ready to share their stories. The members within this meeting varied in race, economic status, and gender. I found in AA there were more males than females. However, this NA meeting contained an equal amount of males and females. One female in particular stood out to me. She was very quiet, and seemed to be crying on and off at the beginning of the meeting. She soon spoke up, and I believe I saw the true purpose of NA through her story, and the other members’