With reference to the letter Consider Naltrexone for addicts , although Narcotics Anonymous (NA) neither endorses, opposes nor has any opinion on medication regimes like Naltrexone, Subutex or Methadone, the country's 'drug abuse problem' or the efforts undertaken to stem this 'scourge', we do, however, hold to the contention that the disease of addiction is a continuing, progressive illness whose ends are always the same - jails, institutions and death.
NA offers a free programme for addicts seeking recovery from addiction. NA is a nonprofit, international, community-based organisation for recovering addicts active in over 108 countries, including Malaysia. NA members learn from one another how to live drug-free and recover from the effects of addiction in their lives.
NA's primary approach to recovery is its belief in the therapeutic value of one recovering addict helping another. Members take part in NA meetings by talking about their experiences and recovery from drug addiction. The function of any meeting is always the same: to provide a suitable and reliable environment for personal recovery.
NA is not a religious organisation and does not mandate any particular belief system. It does teach basic spiritual principles such as honesty, open-mindedness, faith, willingness, and humility that may be applied in everyday life. Recovery in NA is not a miracle cure that happens within a given period of time. It is a process, ongoing and personal. Members make an individual decision to join and recover at their own pace.
Anyone who wants to stop using drugs may become a member of NA. Membership is not limited to addicts using any particular drug. Those who feel they may have a problem with drugs, legal or illegal, including alcohol, are welcome in NA. Recovery in NA focuses on the problem of addiction, not on any particular drug.
NA Malaysia has been in existence since 1994 and holds weekly meetings for those seeking recovery from addiction in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kuantan and Penang. For further information contact us at 012-935 0780 or at e-mail [email protected]
The writer is area service chairperson, Narcotics Anonymous, Kuala Lumpur.