A Narcotics Anonymous Symbol Guide
A Guide to the Symbols of Narcotics Anonymous from Purpose Healing Center
Understanding The Meaning And Motivation Behind NA Symbols
The core Narcotics Anonymous (NA) symbol is widely recognized around the world, and for a good reason. Founded in 1953, the NA program was designed for people facing any type of drug addiction. The program is now very popular, with NA meetings held weekly in 143 countries.
If you are a new or prospective NA member or meeting attendee, you may wonder: What are the different symbols and logos that might be used by NA? What do they mean?
Purpose Healing Center is a leader in substance abuse treatment in Arizona. We help people from all walks of life overcome addiction, and many of our former clients are now successful and longstanding members in the Narcotics Anonymous program.
So that you too can get better acquainted with them, let’s go over the most common NA symbols you might see and their meanings.
A Narcotics Anonymous Symbol Guide
Here is a guide to the NA logos or symbols you are most likely to see.
All of these symbols will have a registered trademark symbol next to them, which signifies that they are registered to Narcotics Anonymous World Services (also called NA World Services or NAWS).
While NA approaches are 12 step based and shares similarities with AA and other Anonymous groups, these symbols are unique to Narcotics Anonymous.
The NA Service Logo
The NA service logo is a significant symbol of the organization. It features four sides, which represent Self, Society, Service, and God. You might see the service symbol or logo presented in several ways.
The first is a circle with a square inside; each side of the square has one of the words listed above on the outside. Additionally, the word “Goodwill” is located inside the square, positioned directly below the NA symbol. The word “Freedom” is at the very top.
The second version of the logo looks like a pyramid. At the top of the pyramid, it says “Freedom.” Then, it says Self, God, Service, Goodwill, and Society.
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The Meaning of the NA Service Logo
Each word you see in the NA service logo has a distinct meaning within the NA program and the Narcotics Anonymous fellowship as a whole:
- Self: Taking an honest look at oneself. This can include understanding how your actions affected others during addiction, accepting that you have a problem, and, overall, self-reflection.
- Society: Carrying the message of NA to other addicts who are still struggling, being a productive citizen, and making amends with others (e.g., friends, family members).
- Service: “Doing the right thing for the right reason.” Service can take many different forms, whether it’s engaging in service work or talking with others to help them find hope and strength in sobriety.
- God: A connection with a higher power (does not necessarily need to be religious; this can be adapted to your personal experience and beliefs).
- Goodwill: “An action that includes others outside of ourselves” (IP #5). Addiction often comes with isolation, disconnection, and actions that can be self-centered, even if not intentionally. Goodwill is the antidote.
- Freedom: Addiction is not freedom. NA focuses on helping you break free from substance abuse.
You will likely notice that these themes come up in NA literature and meetings, the longer you attend and become more familiar with the program. They correlate strongly with the approaches of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, as well as with the spiritual principles of NA.
The Narcotics Anonymous Logo
Another common NA symbol you’ll see, possibly, the most common, is the official Narcotics Anonymous logo. The NA logo includes stylized NA initials (“NA”) inside a circle.
You may recognize this logo from the official NA website (na.org), local NA resource websites, NA recovery literature (e.g., information pamphlets), or from the basic text.
For many, this symbol serves as a reminder that recovery is possible.
As told in the NA Basic Text (page 68), NA offers one promise, which is freedom from active addiction. The symbol also signifies the strength of the NA fellowship and its commitment to helping those seeking help to overcome addiction through the embrace of spiritual principles embraced by Narcotics Anonymous.
The Narcotics Anonymous Group Logo
The NA group logo has the same stylized initials inside a circle. However, they are smaller than they appear in the regular NA logo and are contained within a yellow circle.
Around that circle, there are three rings of color: green, blue, and red (in that order) from the inside out.
Four black points “break” the rings. They stem from the aforementioned yellow circle in the middle of the logo with the classic stylized NA initials inside of it.
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FAQs About Narcotics Anonymous Symbols
Do I need permission to use NA symbols?
Generally speaking, yes. If you intend to reproduce any NA trademarks on items or for personal use, you must receive permission from NA World Services. This is to ensure that NA’s property remains that of the fellowship.
What are the unseen parts of the NA symbol?
The “unseen” parts of the NA symbol are Self, Service, God, Society, Goodwill, and Freedom.
Are Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous the same?
No. While they are both 12-step programs, they are not the same. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is for people who have or may have a problem with alcohol, though open meetings are open to anyone. NA focuses primarily on all other types of substance addiction.
What is the NA program?
The NA program, in simple terms, is a fellowship of individuals for whom drug use has become a problem. Individual members come together regularly in meetings to support one another in maintaining their sobriety.
What are the requirements to attend an NA meeting?
Anyone can attend an open NA meeting, including non-addicts. Closed meetings are open to anyone who has or believes that they may have a problem with drug use.
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