Common NA Terminology

Feel more at home in the fellowship. Here’s a simple guide to the most common terms you’ll hear in NA.
H&I Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee
PR Public Relations Subcommittee
FD Fellowship Development Subcommittee
GSR Group Service Representative (read more in the ASC section)
ASC Area Service Committee (read more in the ASC section)
ALT Alternate (Alt GSR or Alt Secretary, etc.)
Home group In some NA communities, it has become customary for members of the fellowship
to make a personal commitment to support one group—their “home group.” For the individual member, it can
provide a stable recovery base, a place to call “home,” a place to know and be known by other recovering
addicts. For the group, it ensures the support of a core of regular, committed members. Our home group
gives us a place in which to participate in NA’s decision-making processes.
Closed Meeting These are NA meetings for only addicts or those who think they might have a
drug problem. Closed meetings provide an atmosphere in which addicts can feel more certain that those
attending will be able to identify with them. Newcomers may feel more comfortable at a closed meeting
for the same reason. At the beginning of a closed meeting, the leader or chairperson often reads a
statement explaining why the meeting is closed and offering to direct nonaddicts who may be attending to
an open meeting.
Open Meeting These are NA meetings that are open to anyone who wants to attend. Some groups
have open meetings once a month to allow nonaddict friends and relatives of NA members to celebrate
recovery anniversaries with them. Groups that have open meetings may structure their format in such a
way that opportunities for participation by nonaddicts are limited only to short birthday or anniversary
presentations. Such a format allows the meeting to retain its focus on recovery shared one addict to
another. It should be made clear during the meeting that NA groups do not accept monetary contributions
from nonaddicts.
Business Meeting The purpose of the group business meeting is fairly self-explanatory: to
conduct the business of the group in such a way that the group remains effective in carrying the
recovery message. Some groups hold business meetings on a regular basis; others only call them when
something specific comes up that needs the group’s attention.
Express Meeting An Express meeting is normally shorter than a normal meeting. Usually only an
hour long, has no comfort break and usually less readings. This can vary from meeting to meeting.
12 Step Program A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of
action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioural problems. These recovery support
groups tend to follow the general 12-Step ideology as outlined by AA. Individuals are encouraged to work
through the steps one by one, with the end result being to maintain sobriety, achieve a spiritual
awakening through these steps, and then carry the message on to others battling addiction.
12 Steps A set of 12 steps that are worked through. It consists of readings and
questions for each step – and should preferably be worked through with your sponsor. If you want what we
have to offer and are willing to make the effort to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps.
These are the principles that made our recovery possible.
12 Traditions We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the
individual comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom for the group springs from our Traditions. If the
ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us apart, all will be well. By
following these guidelines in our dealings with others, and society at large, we avoid many problems.
That is not to say that our Traditions eliminate all problems. We still must face difficulties as they
arise: communication problems, differences of opinion, internal controversies, and troubles with
individuals and groups outside the Fellowship. However, when we apply these principles, we avoid some of
the pitfalls.
12 Concepts The Twelve Concepts are guiding principles for our service structure. The
concepts summarize the hard-won experience of our fellowship’s first forty years with such things as
responsibility, authority, delegation, leadership, accountability, spiritual guidance, participation,
communication, open-mindedness, fairness, and finances. The Twelve Concepts, together, help ensure that
our fellowship’s service structure remains forever devoted to service, not government.
RD Regional Delegate (read more in the area service section)
IP NA Information Pamphlets, IPs, and Service Pamphlets, SPs. (See IP’s explained
for more information on each IP)
Preambles Set of readings done during the meeting that are standard but may vary from
meeting to meeting.
Comfort Break This is a small break taken usually before the main share of the meeting. Time
for you to have a cigarette, go to the bathroom, fellowship and make a cup of coffee. Not all meetings
have a comfort break.
First Aid Round This is the same as an introduction round at the beginning of the meeting
where members have a chance to briefly express how their day or week has been.