The Paucity of Attention to Narcotics Anonymous in Current Public, Professional, and Policy Responses to Rising Opioid Addiction

ABSTRACT

Increased opioid-related morbidity and mortality in the United States has triggered considerable professional, public, and political alarm and a wide array of community and clinical responses. The potential role of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) as a recovery support resource is rarely noted within recent media and professional reports addressing opioid addiction. In this brief review and commentary, the authors compare public and professional misconceptions about NA with the findings of available scientific studies of NA. The authors conclude that NA is an underutilized resource in contemporary responses to opioid addiction.

KEYWORDS:

• opioid addiction
• Narcotics Anonymous