About NA in Guam

Growth: Narcotics Anonymous first established its presence on Guam in the 1980s, primarily with members living abroad. It wasn’t until the 1990s that local membership began to flourish. By the early 2000s, the fellowship had dwindled to just three active members. However, as our recovery experiences deepened, so did our connection to the program, resulting in a significant rise in membership. Today, we have numerous members with multiple years, and some with decades, of being drug-free.

Membership: Most of our members’ initial experiences with meetings come from referrals by treatment centers and the local court system. Some have also received our message of recovery within prison walls through our H & I (Hospitals and Institutions) efforts. We maintain a cooperative, non-affiliated relationship with these organizations, sharing the common goal of helping addicts. Additionally, many discover our meetings through the outreach efforts of our members who share the benefits of the program with those struggling with drug use in their daily lives.

Community Impact: Guam is a close-knit island community, and addiction has affected many of us—whether it’s a friend, a coworker, or a loved one. The drug problem on Guam is significant and persistent. However, our close-knit community has enabled us to support one another through the challenges of addiction.

Program and Principles: The Narcotics Anonymous Program offers a credible path to recovery. We invite everyone to attend a meeting and listen. We offer hope—that any addict can stop using drugs and learn a new way of life. Our 12-step program, guided by spiritual principles, supports our way of life. Experienced members mentor newcomers through these steps. Through peer-to-peer support, including sponsor and sponsee relationships, we learn to live life again without drugs.

Meetings and Activities: Our local service structure includes four groups with regular weekly meetings. Some of which are held within institutions. This ensures that there is a meeting available every day of the week, helping us stay connected to the NA fellowship. Our groups also host various events throughout the year, demonstrating that we can still have fun and enjoy life without using drugs.

The NA Way: We are a group of individuals who have endured the horrors of addiction. Alone, we couldn’t stop using drugs, but together, we’ve discovered a new way to live—the NA way. Our shared experiences and mutual support have helped us find recovery and hope, and we are committed to helping others do the same.