2 Compare Contrast Fd

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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 moodchanging, 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

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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.aaintergroup.org/cpc/art_support.html Narcotics Anonymous, 5th Ed. 1988

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