McNulty 1

Kristin McNulty

Professor Strawn

English Writing 102

07 October 2009

Comparison and Contrast FFD

(TS)The slogan “Just for Today” is far from the only likeness between the two

organizations known as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.).

(PS)Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are both twelve step programs

for people suffering from addiction to mood altering substances. (SS)Alcoholics

Anonymous is a fellowship designed for those who have a desire to stop drinking.

(SS)Narcotics Anonymous is a program designed for those who have a desire to stop

using any form of mood-altering chemical. (SS)Incidentally, N.A. literature specifically

states “. . . our identification as addicts is all-inclusive with respect to any mood-

changing, mind-altering substance. Alcoholism is too limited a term for us; our problem

is not a specific substance, it is a disease called addiction.” (PS) Another way that A.A.

and N.A. are similar is they are both spiritually based programs, believing that a faith in

a Higher Power is needed to conquer the disease of addiction. (SS)This is not to say a

belief in God specifically, rather, a belief in something having a power greater than

oneself. (SS) Each member of either organization is encouraged to choose their own

perception of a Higher Power, or a “God of their own understanding.” (SS) For example,

the third step of both A.A. and N.A. reads “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives

over to the care of God as we understand Him.” (PS)Additionally, Alcoholics

Anonymous is a worldwide organization, as is Narcotics Anonymous. (SS)As of August

 McNulty 2

25, 2008, A.A. meetings were available in more than 180 countries, with an estimated 2

million members worldwide. (SS)By comparison, in the year 2007 there was an

estimated 43,900 N.A. meetings located in 127 different countries all over the globe.

(PS)Finally, Alcoholics Anonymous, along with Narcotics Anonymous, are self

supporting through their own contributions, and free to anyone who wants to attend any

portion of the programs, meetings, or activities. (SS)Outside contributions are not

accepted by either organization, and members of the groups contribute what they can in

order to purchase literature, coffee, and other materials. (SS)The idea is that the newer

members are supported by the older members of the group. (SS)Furthermore, as a

member grows in the program(s) and is able to stay free of the mind-altering

substances, a sense of responsibility and self worth returns, encouraging even the

newest members to contribute to the cause. (CS)Thus, by comparison, both

organizations have many things in common and share the same goal(s), most

significantly N.A. and A.A. are “. . . fellowship(s) of men and women who share their

experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common

problem and help others to recover . . .”

Source(s) of information:

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Ed. 2001

Alcoholic’s Anonymous, http://www.aa.org/press.cfm, and
http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/smf-121_en.pdf
Online intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous, http://www.aa-
intergroup.org/cpc/art_support.html
Narcotics Anonymous, 5th Ed. 1988
 McNulty 3

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcotics_Anonymous
National Association for Christian Recovery, http://www.nacronline.com/links-
directory/twelve-steps/group-fellowships
!2 Step Recovery, http://www.12steprecovery.com/12-steps-of-na.html