There Is an “A” for Everything
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)*
International, nonprofessional mutual-aid fellowship for alcoholics, to help them “stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.” Famous for the Twelve Steps, a program of spiritual and character development. No age requirement, no fees, and open to all people who suffer from alcoholism.
NA (Narcotics Anonymous)*
Nonprofit fellowship for people who are recovering drug addicts who meet together to help each other stay clean. A program of complete abstinence from all drugs. No religious, political associations. Program called the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. Primary service is the NA group meeting.
MA (Marijuana Anonymous)*
Similar to AA and NA, but for people addicted to marijuana. Adopts the AA Twelve-Step program.
CA (Cocaine Anonymous)*
Same as AA, MA, NA, but for people addicted to cocaine. They also accept people who are recovering addicts of alcohol and mind-altering substances. Also utilizes AA’s Twelve Steps.
CMA (Crystal Meth Anonymous)*
Similar to previously mentioned support groups. Although they also adopt the AA Twelve Steps, they insist that their Twelve Steps are unique because of the specific darkness, compulsions, and paranoia associated with meth use, as well as the hyper-intensity and long-term use.
OA (Overeaters Anonymous)
Similar, but for people who suffer from compulsive overeating. Employs Twelve Steps and traditions.
LGBTQ Twelve Steps
Twelve-Step programs for people in the LGBTQ community suffering and recovering from any substance addiction or addictive behaviors.
* All of these programs are anonymous and focus on addicts helping each other. Their only requirement is that members must have a desire to recover from their addictions and publicly have been given permission from AA to configure their Twelve-Step program to suit each group’s mission.
Those things are free! They pass a collection basket to pay to rent the facility they use for the meetings. People usually donate a dollar, but you don’t need to do that if you’re just checking it out. Enjoy the semi-climate-controlled church basement and awful coffee, there’s no charge man! If you need professional help you need to do some research. Addiction is a disease and should be treated by professionals, not people who are just selling stuff. Investigate and ask lots of questions. Ask people who have been there themselves; they will have ideas.
Once you have discerned that you have a good person and/or team in place to help, you will need to trust them, sometimes with some really big stuff that can be hard to deal with. With that in mind, make sure that you are working with decent people who are there to truly help you and other addicts, and not just trying to cash in on your desperation; there is plenty of that nonsense out there. Bottom line: keep asking, keep working, and don’t give up—there is always hope!