What these groups are
AA, NA, CA and GA are free self-help groups run by people who have been through it themselves. Nobody is paid, nobody is in charge of you, and you don’t need a referral. If you want to stop, you’re welcome.
They all follow the same “12 steps”, a programme for staying stopped that members work through at their own pace, often with the help of someone further along.
Which group is for you
- AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) if drink is the problem.
- NA (Narcotics Anonymous) for any drug, including prescription drugs.
- CA (Cocaine Anonymous) for cocaine, and open to anyone with a problem with any mind-altering substance.
- GA (Gamblers Anonymous) for gambling.
Plenty of people go to more than one. If the 12 steps aren’t for you, SMART Recovery runs free meetings that use practical tools instead.
How to find a meeting
Each group’s website has a meeting finder. Search by town or postcode, and you’ll see the day, time, address and type of meeting. Most also have online and phone meetings if walking into a room feels like too much right now.
You can also ring a helpline and talk to a member first. AA in the UK is on 0800 9177 650 and in Ireland on 01 842 0700. NA in the UK is on 0300 999 1212. All the groups and their links are on our recovery page.
Open or closed?
Open meetings welcome anyone, including family and friends, so you can bring someone with you. Closed meetings are just for people who want to stop. The meeting finder will say which is which.
What happens when you walk in
Every meeting is a bit different, but most follow the same pattern.
- Someone chairs the meeting and opens with a short reading.
- One member usually shares their story: what it was like, what happened, and what it’s like now.
- Others then share if they want to. Nobody has to.
- There’s usually a collection to cover tea and rent. You don’t have to put anything in, especially at your first meeting.
If you’re new, you can say so, or you can just sit and listen. “I’m just here to listen” is a perfectly good thing to say. Many people find it easier to arrive a few minutes early and tell whoever is setting up that it’s their first time.
After the meeting
People might offer you their number. That’s normal, and there’s no pressure to use it, but a lot of members say ringing someone between meetings is what kept them going.
You’ll probably hear about sponsors. A sponsor is a member with more time in recovery who helps you work through the steps. There’s no rush to find one.
If it didn't feel right
Try a few before deciding. Meetings have different feels depending on the town, the time and the people in the room. If the 12 steps aren’t for you at all, that’s fine too. SMART Recovery, counselling and treatment services are all real options.
Before you stop, stay safe
If you drink heavily every day, or take benzodiazepines regularly, don’t stop suddenly on your own. Withdrawal can be dangerous. Talk to a GP or addiction service first. More on staying safe.