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When a person becomes addicted to drugs, they do not do so in a vacuum. Regardless of how hard they try to not involve friends or family members, narcotics abuse seems to always drag others down into a spiral of despair. Fortunately, the formation of Nar-Anon ensured that loved ones of those facing addiction always had somewhere to turn.
The foundational principles of the organization are very similar to those used in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This can create some confusion among those who have yet to attend a meeting. Once you understand how the program works, though, you’ll realize what a powerful resource Nar-Anon can be.
AA was founded back in 1935, and the similar program NA was organized less than 20 years later in 1953. These groups focused on helping individuals battling addiction, but they didn’t cater to individuals whose lives were falling apart because of their relationship with an addicted loved one. This changed when Nar-Anon Family Groups was founded a few years later.
While the original formation of the group failed, its revival in 1968 gained a large following. This led to the organization being incorporated in 1971, and it has since expanded outside of California to various countries throughout the world. The principles of Nar-Anon focus entirely on helping those who experience difficulties because of others’ addictions.
Even though its purpose isn’t the same as NA, Nar-Anon shares the same tools used in recovery:
These tools are the same across most 12-step programs. When you consider the fact that many of these have a focus on those with substance abuse disorders, though, it’s understandable that newcomers may be confused. After all, it wouldn’t make sense for the family member of an addicted person to admit they have no power over their addiction (Step 1, NA).
Slight variations in these principles, however, make them perfect for Nar-Anon. Rather than admitting they have no power over an addiction, for instance, those in Step 1 of Nar-Anon admit they are “powerless over the addict.” This may seem counterintuitive since most people want to help their loved ones end drug abuse, but it’s important to note that we can’t make them do so.
Each of the 12 steps falls into a specific category:
The reference to a Higher Power sometimes rubs people the wrong way. After all, not everyone would feel comfortable in a Christian recovery program. We’ll discuss this further in the Who Can Join Nar-Anon section below, but it’s important to understand that this is not a religious program. Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists and everyone else is welcome.
The last important thing to mention is that Nar-Anon is about mutual aid and community. Members come together to listen to each other and help everyone in the group heal from the damage that addiction caused in their lives. This 12-step program will help you take back your life, and through this, you’ll be better prepared to help your loved one do the same.
If you’re watching a friend or family member deal with addiction, it’s important to realize that there’s help out there for both of you. Contact us at Transformations Treatment Center today to get started on the right path.
Life is tough when you love someone who’s going through addiction. Fortunately, Nar-Anon doesn’t impose any additional hurdles for individuals seeking help. Their website is very clear on who can join: “The only requirement to be a member and attend Nar-Anon meetings is that there is a problem of drugs or addiction in a relative or friend.”
The Higher Power listed in the principles of the organization leads many to believe that this is a religious organization. In reality, the group is more spiritual in nature. Even that distinction, though, is relatively loose in terms. This is why the references to God in the Twelve Steps always accompany the phrase “as we understood him.”
Just consider the many things members have listed as their Higher Power:
In most situations, people choose something they see as greater than themselves. Again, the rules are relatively loose here. If you peruse through the Nar-Anon forums, for instance, you’ll see mentions of people viewing their pickup trucks as a Higher Power. This is simply based on an individual’s personal understanding, and some even elevate the group itself to this position.
Joining Nar-Anon is as easy as coming to a meeting. There’s no need to sign up for anything, and there are no membership fees or dues required to attend. Even teenagers who have a loved one addicted to drugs can join through the Narateen program. Teens who cannot find a local group should contact a local Nar-Anon chapter to ask if they can facilitate a group.
Effectiveness rates of 12-step programs are important to discuss, but this does not really apply for group meetings involving friends and family members of substance abusers. The goals of Nar-Anon differ greatly from other groups, so it’s often best to review the benefits of the program yourself.
By attending these meetings, you’ll find the following advantages:
Each of these benefits will give you the ability to better cope with the issues you’re facing due to a loved one’s addiction. This means you’ll be able to take back your life and end the victimization you’ve been facing. You may not be capable of changing someone else’s behavior, but you can change the way you respond to it.
Tons of research has gone into the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. This is less true for Nar-Anon since there are no measures of continued drug use or abstinence to monitor, but this doesn’t mean that there isn’t hard data to review. In fact, one study found the following when reviewing programs such as these:
Each of these outcomes existed in attendees who stayed in similar 12-step programs for a minimum of six months. This can be at least partially attributed to the focus on ending codependent behavior and enabling actions. Nar-Anon doesn’t promise to solve all your problems, but that typically isn’t an expected goal.
As the group’s slogan says, “Progress not perfection.”
Just like every other 12-step program, members get as much out of Nar-Anon meetings as they put in. Repeat attendance is essential to success. Unfortunately, some people may feel like they’re not getting much from the program. The only way to figure out if Nar-Anon is right for you, though, is to attend a meeting and find out for yourself.
They urge anyone who joins the group to take it seriously. This is a place where everyone can feel safe and speak candidly without fear of their anonymity being betrayed. If a loved one’s addiction is negatively affecting your life, then it’s likely that the organization can do great things for you. Sometimes all that’s needed is social support that knows what you’re going through.
Even if your life isn’t being seriously affected by a loved one’s addiction, you might still feel the need to get them help. As we’ve pointed out before, though, you can’t force someone to get better. If you think you’d benefit from resources outside of Nar-Anon, take a look at our Family Member Support Guide.
Regardless of where you live, there are many options for attending a Nar-Anon meeting. You can find over 1,400 physical meetings listed on the organization’s website weekly, and people from around the world attend these. If you’re hesitant to attend an in-person meeting right away, you also have access to virtual meetings.
The importance of finding a Nar-Anon meeting in the digital world became particularly important in 2020. As many people dealing with addiction or addicted loved ones quickly discovered, social distancing creates loneliness, depression and an inability to take part in essential social activities. Fortunately, there are dozens of virtual groups held every week.
Teens in the Narateen program have fewer options for in-person meetings, but there are at least two virtual groups that meet every week. Regardless of your age, though, the Nar-Anon website offers resources that can help you get a local group started if there’s not already one in your area.
It’s tragic to witness someone continuously ruin their life through drug abuse. Unfortunately, this tragic situation often overshadows the troubles faced by the loved ones of those suffering from addiction. Folks caught up in the orbit of drug abuse face constant challenges even when they’re not abusing substances themselves. Fortunately, Nar-Anon can help.
If you’re feeling hopeless and like there’s no way to shake the consequences of loving someone with an addiction, contact Transformations Treatment Center today. Our staff of certified professionals can get you on the path to reclaiming your life.
Sources
Nar-Anon Midwest
https://www.naranonmidwest.org/sharing-recovery/working-the-steps/
Nar-Anon
https://www.nar-anon.org/forum
https://www.nar-anon.org/find-a-meeting
Narateen Meetings
https://www.nar-anon.org/narateen-meetings-list
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976777/
