Should I Go to AA or NA?

What is AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)?

Alcoholics Anonymous is a free, worldwide fellowship of people who help one another get sober and stay sober from alcohol. There are no dues, no paperwork, and no requirement other than a desire to stop drinking. AA is anonymous by design, so what's shared in a meeting stays in the room.

Recovery in AA is built around the Twelve Steps and the support of other members, often with the help of a sponsor. It isn't a religious program — people of every belief and background are welcome — and you can work the steps at your own pace.

What is NA (Narcotics Anonymous)?

Narcotics Anonymous is a free, anonymous fellowship for people recovering from drug addiction. Like AA, it's open to anyone who wants to stop using, and the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. There are no fees and no judgment about which substances brought you there.

NA also follows the Twelve Steps and leans on peer support and sponsorship. One important difference in language: NA talks about being "clean" rather than "sober," and it treats all drugs — including alcohol — as part of the same disease of addiction.

AA vs NA: what's the difference?

The two programs are far more alike than different. Here's the simple comparison:

• AA is focused on alcohol. Members come together around the desire to stop drinking.
• NA is focused on drugs. Members come together around the desire to stop using any mind-altering substance.
• Both use the same 12-step framework. The steps, sponsorship, and fellowship structure are nearly identical.
• Both are free, anonymous, and non-religious. The only requirement is a desire to stop.

In other words, the difference is mostly the focus of the room, not the path. Many people in recovery attend both at different points in their journey.

Which one should you choose?

A few honest questions can usually point you in the right direction:

• Is alcohol your main struggle? AA is the natural starting place.
• Are other drugs your main struggle? NA may feel more relatable, because the people there share that experience.
• Is it both? Many people find a home in NA, since it includes alcohol as a drug — but plenty go to both fellowships.
• Where do the people sound like you? The right room is often the one where you hear your own story in someone else's words.

There's no wrong choice here. Picking a starting point matters far more than picking the "perfect" one.

What if you're still unsure?

If you can't decide, the best move is simple: try both. Go to an AA meeting one day and an NA meeting another, and notice where you feel most understood and most at ease. Nothing locks you into one fellowship — you're free to attend whichever helps, whenever it helps.

You can also start with whatever is closest or soonest. Getting to a room today is more valuable than waiting for certainty. If you're still weighing whether a meeting is even the right step, our guide on whether you might be an alcoholic may help you think it through.

The most important rule: just go to a meeting

Here's the truth that experienced members will tell you again and again: the fellowship matters less than showing up. AA or NA, in person or online — the first meeting is the one that counts. You don't need to talk, label yourself, or have any of it figured out. Listening is enough.

If your first meeting doesn't feel like a fit, that's normal. Try a different room, a different time, or the other fellowship. Recovery is about progress, not picking the right door on the first try.

How SobrNav helps you find the right meeting

SobrNav makes it easy to find both fellowships in one place, so you can stop researching and start showing up:

• Find AA and NA meetings near you instantly, sorted by distance, including meetings happening today.
• Filter by fellowship and type — AA, NA, beginner, speaker, in-person, online, or hybrid.
• Read reviews from other members so you know what a room feels like before you walk in — especially helpful for beginners.
• Track your progress with a built-in sobriety calculator that celebrates every milestone.

Ready to start? Search live AA and NA meetings near you and pick the first one you can get to.