AA and NA Meetings in Riverview, FL

When was Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous Founded?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1939, with the publication of a guidebook under the same name. The group was one of the first institutions in the world focused on helping people overcome any kind of drug use – in this case, people struggling with alcohol use disorder – to lead healthy, sober lives. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was founded a few years later, in 1953, to help those struggling with other forms of substance abuse, like cocaine addiction or heroin abuse. Although that group remained small, more people began joining in 1983 after the publication of NA’s Basic Text.

How do AA and NA Work?

Both AA and NA start with the 12 Steps. Both groups are free, with the only membership requirement being the desire to stop drinking or taking drugs. The two organizations are also founded in the Christian faith, referring to their groups as a “fellowship.” However, the 12 Steps have been adjusted over time with more inclusive language, to invite people of other faiths, agnostics, and even atheists to participate in the support groups.

What are the 12 Steps of AA and NA?

The 12 Steps of AA/NA are:

1. Admitting powerlessness because of addiction, as the person’s life has become unmanageable due to substance abuse
2. Believing that a power greater than the individual will restore sanity
3. The person turning their will and life over to that higher power
4. The individual making a moral inventory of their life
5. Admitting to oneself, another person, and the Power the nature of wrongs committed
6. Experiencing readiness to remove defects in character
7. Humbly asking the higher power to remove shortcomings
8. Making a list of people who were harmed due to the addiction and preparing to make amends
9. Making amends when it is possible, without injuring the other person further
10. Continuing to make the moral inventory and admit wrongs when they occur
11. Seeking guidance and understanding through prayer and/or meditation
12. Carrying the message to others struggling with addiction

AA Meetings in Riverview, Florida

The Tri-County Central Office keeps a list of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the Hillsborough County and East Pasco County areas.

The meetings in Riverview include:

• Joe’s Suburban Club hosts several meetings, including:
  • Design for Living Group

  • Early Riser’s Group

    8019 N. Himes, Suite 104
    Tampa FL, 33614
  • Friday Night Lights Group
  • Newcomers Group
  • Nooners Group
  • Old Timers’ Group
  • Step Workshop Group
  • Sobriety at Sunset Group
  • The Fresh Start Club
  • YaYa Sisterhood of Sobriety Women’s Group
• Divine House offers one AA meeting per week, on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
• The Hope Center for Living has an AA meeting on Fridays at 6 p.m.
• Simmons Loop Baptist Church has an AA meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

NA Meetings in Riverview, Florida

Riverview and the surrounding townships also have several NA meetings available for those who need fellowship and support during recovery from substance abuse.

A few very close options include:

• First Baptist Church offers an NA meeting on Saturday at 3 p.m.
• Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church has an 8 p.m. meeting on Monday, and a 7 p.m. meeting on Saturday.
• Simmon’s Loop Baptist Church has an NA meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Another great way to find help for alcohol use disorder, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders is through the Treatment Services Locator tool offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

AA and NA Membership Surveys

AA and NA conduct regular surveys of their membership to understand how their programs affect people all over the globe. AA is one of the largest international organizations designed to help people struggling with alcohol use disorder; as of 2014, there were 115,000 member groups. AA states that, thanks to their global popularity, there is an AA meeting happening anywhere in the world at any time of day. Although NA is slightly smaller, that group has also spread internationally; for the 2015 membership survey, NA received 22,803 responses from many different countries.

In AA’s 2014 membership survey, the organization found that 62 percent of members were men and 38 percent were women; 89 percent were white; 28 percent were 51-60 years old while 21 percent were 41-50 years old, suggesting most people who struggle with alcohol use disorder are middle-aged and older. When asked how members found AA, 32 percent reported that another AA member told them about it;

32 percent were referred through a treatment facility; 30 percent were self-motivated to find an AA meeting; 27 percent had a family member suggest the organization; 13 percent were referred through a counselor or mental health professional; 12 percent were referred through the court system; and 4 percent were referred through a medical professional. Over half the membership received counseling of some kind: 59 percent received counseling before turning to AA while 58 percent received this help afterward. Of these members, 84 percent reported that counseling played a significant role in their recovery from alcohol use disorder.

Maintaining abstinence from alcohol is one of the most important measurements of success when examining alcohol use disorder treatments.

AA reports that:

• 27 percent of their members maintain abstinence for one year
• 24 percent maintain for 1-5 years
• 13 percent stay sober for 5-10 years
• 14 percent remain sober for 10-20 years
• 22 percent have stayed sober for over 20 years

NA found similar demographics in their 2015 membership survey: 59 percent of members were male while 41 percent were female; 74 percent were white; 46 percent had been referred by a treatment specialist or counselor; 43 percent were referred by another NA member; and 31 percent were asked by a family member to attend meetings. Age ranges for NA members were different than AA, however, as NA covers many substances of abuse with varying demographics, although more members were older adults.

Ages included:

• 1 percent were 21 years old or younger
• 11 percent were 21-30 years old
• 21 percent were 31-40 years old
• 24 percent were 41-50 years old
• 29 percent were 51-60 years old
• 14 percent were over 60 years old

NA reported that the average length of time a member remained abstinence from drugs was 8.32 years. Specific reported “cleantime” in NA included:

• 8 percent were clean for a year or less
• 27 percent were clean for 1-5 years
• 18 percent stayed clean for 6-10 years
• 12 percent remained clean for 11-15 years
• 10 percent were clean for 16-20 years
• 25 percent remained clean over 20 years

Although some studies and news reports have been skeptical of AA’s and NA’s effectiveness, people who use these programs to stay sober appear to have similar success rates compared to other forms of treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. AA says that people who stick to the 12 Steps method for the duration have better outcomes; those who do not stay with the program, or who do not fully invest in the steps, are more likely to experience relapse. Regardless of success rates, both AA and NA are important complementary support options to detox and either inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation. People who have social support, including participating in support groups, after leaving rehab experience better outcomes.

Getting Help in Riverview, Florida

The unincorporated town of Riverview, Florida, is in Hillsborough County, an area on the Hillsborough Bay near the Gulf of Mexico. The largest city in the county is Tampa, which is about 15 miles northwest of Riverview. People who live in the area may regularly commute into Tampa for work or school, or to enjoy the larger city’s attractions.

People who live in Riverview may also turn to Tampa for help with substance abuse treatment. Fortunately for those living in the census designated place, there are both AA and NA meeting options not too far away, providing easy access to support during recovery.