Recovery is not something many people can do alone. It has been shown repeatedly that peer support and group therapy helps people working through issues with substance abuse and dependency. Since members of the group have experienced and overcome many different challenges related to rehabilitation and recovery, peer support is both a wellspring of practical advice and a source of emotional support. In many cases, much of what can feel insurmountable alone is easily overcome with others to help.
For many in recovery in Auburn, this wellspring is Alcoholics Anonymous, also called AA, and Narcotics Anonymous, or NA. Part of any recovery plan will be choosing the right meeting, so those considering attending should be familiar with how the organizations operate and what to expect.
Many people attend their first AA or NA meeting as part of an addiction treatment program in Auburn, but others attend meetings regularly in convenient standalone locations throughout the area. No matter where members attend, however, the goal of attendance is to receive and give support to peers going through the same struggles with substance abuse.
AA Meetings In Auburn, Washington
AA was found in 1935 as a different approach to alcohol abuse and dependency. At the center of AA are some core principles. The first is that AA is open to all. You do not have to pay a membership fee and you do not have to have any sort of educational attainment. If you need help, AA is designed to offer it. The second is open-mindedness. Anyone attending a meeting must be willing to listen and to let every member who can speak do so. The third is self-awareness. Those struggling with dependency must work to better understand themselves and their actions, and the potential consequences not just for them, but for others around them. The final one is self-improvement. The goal of any AA meeting is to bring its members to sobriety and move forward away from alcohol in their lives.
The framework for doing so is AA’s famous twelve steps. Contrary to popular belief, the twelve steps are not a rigid guide of “must do” ideas, but instead a framework that can be approached in any number of ways. This is by design; one of the fundamental problems of early alcohol abuse treatments was the belief that “one size fits all,” and that a patient who could not abide by the program was the problem.
As a result, AA meetings take an enormous number of approaches, driven as much by their membership and their leadership as by tradition and the twelve steps. This makes researching meetings particularly important.
Finding AA Meeting Near Me
Choosing a good AA meeting starts with the person considering attending it. Anyone looking into AA should stop and consider exactly what they would most like or believe they need out of a meeting. In some cases, sitting down with a counselor or other professional can help put this list together.
Then, a potential attendee should research the AA meetings in their area, considering both the psychological and practical aspects. Most meetings will have literature or contact information that will put you in touch with a member or leader of the group, giving you the ability to discuss with them your needs and whether the meeting will fit you.
It is also important to ensure that you can attend a meeting, usually held weekly, on a regular basis and that you are comfortable in the space the meeting is held and with the leadership. For example, some meetings may focus on alcohol abuse both as a mental illness itself and as a larger symptom of other mental health issues. If a potential member is not emotionally ready to discuss that in a group setting, he or she likely should find a meeting focused more exclusively on alcohol abuse.
302 Recovery House
302 4th St. N.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
First Methodist Church
Main & N St.
Auburn, WA 98002 Monday
St. Mark`s
301 A St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
You can find other meeting locations on the Alcoholics Anonymous website.
NA Meetings In Auburn, Washington
NA was founded as a sister organization to AA that assists people struggling with drug abuse and dependency and offers more support. It is not uncommon for a person with more than one dependency to go to multiple meetings.
NA is very similar to AA, especially in structure and in its flexibility. NA meetings welcome anyone who has an honest desire to quit abusing drugs, no matter what the substance of choice may be. NA emphasizes being honest, having an open mind, and embracing a true willingness to change.
Finding NA Meetings Near Me
There are a variety of meetings held across the Auburn area. The Narcotics Anonymous website has a locator tool that allows you to search for meetings by zip code.
Recovery Garage
230 1st St. N.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
South King Alano Club
1317 Harvey Rd.
Auburn, WA 98002
Reality Center
4405 A St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
No matter how people struggling with substance abuse handle it, however, it is important to remember seeking help is the first and most important step. AA and NA ensure that you will not have to take that step alone. Reach out to The Recovery Village today to learn more about AA and NA meetings and other addiction treatment options in the Auburn area.