A support group can be a powerful tool. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) bring together people at various points on the path to recovery and ongoing sobriety to support each other, share concerns, and solve the problems that dealing with substance use disorders in Winter Park, Florida can bring. There are many places those working toward sobriety can meet in Winter Park, and this is a brief overview of what meetings can offer and how Winter Park residents can build healthier lives.
AA Meetings In Winter Park, Florida
Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most well-known support group organizations in America. However, by necessity, each AA meeting is different in terms of approach, overall tone, and topics on which the meetings focus. Some meetings are geared toward families working through substance abuse concerns with a member, for example, while others may be closed to families and only open to those dealing with alcohol addiction. There are a few consistent rules, including respect and confidentiality, but beyond that, how the group functions is largely up to the group itself.
Remember, AA meetings are completely voluntary and a person can attend one meeting with no obligation to return. That makes “auditioning” AA meetings to see which are the best long-term fit a common practice. Since members will be attending meetings for long periods of time, this practice is encouraged by AA leadership.
Finding AA Meetings Near Me
When looking for AA meetings near you, first ask yourself what you need from the group. Would you prefer a co-ed group or would you like a single gender group? Would you be more comfortable in a group that only discusses the challenges and concerns of alcoholism, or would you need a group to also discuss the causes of alcoholism as part of treatment? Do you want the common “twelve step” approach or do you want a group with a different tactic? Even something as simple as preferring a group where you can smoke may be important.
What is most important is that the group is supportive. AA meetings have no restriction on age or education, nor do they mandate membership in a church, so there are as many kinds of AA meetings as there are people who need them.
One simple way to find an AA meeting in your area is to use the locator tool on the Alcoholics Anonymous website. There you can fill in your city and a list of potential meeting locations will pop up. Then, it is simply a matter of choosing the meeting location and time that work best for you.
NA Meetings In Winter Park, Florida
Founded in 1953 and built on the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous, including the twelve-step program, Narcotics Anonymous or NA is one of the longest-running support group systems in America. It was founded as it became clear that while alcoholism and other forms of substance use disorder shared many similarities, abuse of drugs presented other challenges from alcohol abuse. It is not uncommon for those with multiple substance dependencies to go to an AA meeting for alcohol abuse and to an NA meeting for addiction to other drugs. It is encouraged to seek help where you need it.
While it shares some similarities with AA in its structure and approach, one of the key differences is that it can be more difficult to realize you have a dependency on drugs until you run out of them. Also, due to the criminal nature of many substances abused in America, NA meetings are more likely to touch on criminal justice issues, including some groups where attendance is mandated by court order. Like AA, NA does not claim to be a cure for addiction, a disease which it views as chronic and is only manageable, not curable.
Finding NA Meetings Near Me
Just like AA meetings, NA meetings can vary widely in tone, style, and approach. Some are designed for those who have been sober for a while, others are for those who are still in or have just finished a rehabilitation program, and others are focused on specific niches within the recovery community, such as those who abused only one specific substance or those for whom substance abuse is about is the symptom of a larger illness.
That makes “auditioning” NA meetings very important for the meeting attendees. Group therapy is most effective when everyone in the group is comfortable opening up and sharing their opinions. If that degree of comfort and feeling of safety is lacking, the therapy will not be successful. When looking for substance abuse support, the health of everyone is the most important aspect, and when finding meetings, members should ask themselves if this is a healthy supportive atmosphere for them.
One simple way to find an NA meeting in your area is to use the locator tool on the Narcotics Anonymous website. There you can fill in the zip code of your city and a list of potential meeting locations will pop up. Then, it is simply a matter of choosing the meeting location and time that work best for you.
Seeking help is difficult, even in the most supportive setting. By choosing the right meeting, patients can keep up their journey toward a better, sober future. The Recovery Village is here to offer vital resources to help you achieve and maintain sobriety. Reach out today to speak with one of our knowledgeable intake specialists, who can help you find support groups near you.