Narcotics Anonymous (Friends Of Jimmy K) Quiz

Answer: 1953

NA was founded in 1953 because some addicts who had recovered through AA recognized that not ALL addicts were capable of identifying with the alcoholics in AA. Further, addicts whose drugs of choice did not include alcohol were prohibited (and still are) from actual membership in AA.

Answer: San Fernando Valley Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

On August 17, 1953 "A Committee of 6 including Guilda Krouse, Pat Rosenbluth, Jimmy Kinnon, Steve Ryan, Frank Carnahan and Doris Carnahan got together at 10145 Stagg St. at PM for the purpose of organizing an AANA Group. The name 'San Fernando Valley Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous' has been voted on and accepted." -Taken from NA's founding minutes.

The name was changed in September of the same year because it violated AA's Traditions which state that AA should "never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise." Further the only requirements for a group of alcoholics to call themselves an AA group were that they 1) Meet for the purpose of recovery from alcoholism; 2) As a group have no other affiliations. Because AANA was a seperate affiliation, they could NOT be an AA group. Since September of 1953 NA has been known as "Narcotics Anonymous".

Answer: False

"Thinking of alcohol as different from other drugs has caused a great many addicts to relapse. But we cannot afford to be confused about this: Alcohol is a drug! We are people with the disease of addiction who must abstain from all drugs in order to recover." -Taken from NA's "How It Works". NA membership is open to ALL drug addicts who have a desire to stop using... INCLUDING alcoholics.

Answer: 80s

The "Basic Text" was not published until the eighties. Previous to this time NA used its "Little White Book" or "Little Yellow Book" (depending on the decade) and AA's "Big Book" as basic material.

Answer: Narcotics Anonymous

This is also the official name of "The Little White Book", which actually forms the basis and outline of our "Basic Text".

Answer: False

The chapter states "Their hard won experience gave birth to the Traditions, and our own experience has shown that these Tradtions are just as valid today as they were when these Tradtions were formulated." The Traditions were "born" or "formulated" in Alcoholics Anonymous NO LATER than 1950. NA did not come into existence until 1953.

Therefore the predecessors referred to must be early members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Infact, earlier editions of the "Basic Text" reference AA by name in this particular chapter.

Answer: James Kinnon

Also known as "Jimmy K". Jimmy was also the first chairperson elected to NA's first service structure in 1953.

Answer: False

Although many of NA's early members had previous affiliation with these groups, our founding minutes and first press release make VERY clear that NA's roots, as a fellowship, lie totally and complpetely in Alcoholics Anonymous. Our first press release acknowledged "Alcoholics Anonymous"* to which "precedent is acknowledged and all credit is given." (*In keeping with the Twelve Traditions, NA does NOT officially endorse Alcoholics Anonymous in any way; Nor does NA oppose AA.)

Answer: All drugs

"Narcotics" refers to all drugs including alcohol. Interestingly, NA does not prohibit the use of caffeine and nicotine even though these are technically drugs. This is possibly because a) these drugs are so commonly used in today's society; and b) they are not generally used as a means to "get high". That being said, any NA sponsor worth his or her salt would probably suggest to a sponsee that they give up their "clean time" if they intentionally used caffeine or nicotine to "get high".

Answer: True

One of the major differences between NA and most other fellowships is that NA admits powerlessness over the disease, not the substance. In AA powerlessness is admitted over alchol; In Cocaine Anonymous, cocaine and all other drugs; but in NA "We admitted that we were powerless over our addction; that our lives had become unmanageable." To many this is just a matter of semantics, but for others this can be a powerful distinction.

Answer: Nothing

Although NA is COMPLETELY self-supporting through its members' contributions, it cost NOTHING to join, and NOTHING to sustain membership. How is this possible? Generally, at each meeting, a basket is passed around to the membership. Members may donate anything they wish. Most members put a dollar or two in when they can afford it, and nothing when they can't. Newcomers are usually asked not to contribute and non-members/visitors are prohibited from contributing. Most addicts gladly put money in the basket because a buck or two a meeting is infinitely cheaper than active addiction.

The groups then buy supplies and pay rent (which is usually cheap because it doesn't cost much to rent one room for one hour one to seven times a week). After expenses are met most groups maintain a "prudent reserve" and send the rest on to their area committees. Area committees also hold fundraising activities. Again, only NA members may donate at fundraisers.

After area expenses and prudent reserves are met, the areas generally send extra money to Region. Regions are a collection of areas, where areas are a collection of individual groups. Regions operate in much the same ways that areas do, and they send their extra money on to World. NOTE: These are not steadfast rules. Any of these service bodies or groups may do as they see fit with the money, but this is the general practice. (It is also expected that groups will stay within the Traditions.) All this being said, you may be a member of NA for a lifetime, and never contribute a single penny if you so wish.

Answer: Simply decide you are a member

Sound strange? NA keeps no records of its membership other than general estimates and informal polls. It does, however, maintain information on the number of registered groups. However, a group can be an NA group and not register with the World Service Office if it so chooses.

There are no strings attached to NA membership. The only requirement for membership in NA is a desire to stop using. It is also implied that one must also be an addict. However, no one polices this. You are an addict when you admit you are, you have a desire to quit when you have a desire, and you are a member when you say you are!

Answer: Mentoring, or guidance through Step work

A sponsor is actually more like a mentor, or spiritual advisor. It is someone who has gone before you who guides you through the Steps. For Star Wars fans a sponsor is like the "Master Jedi", while the sponsee is like the "Learner" or the "Apprentice".

It is recomended that EVERYONE have a sponsor. You may hear it said at meetings that "I have a sponsor, who has a sponsor, who has a sponsor."

Answer: True

It appears in the "Basic Text" portion of the book as the italicized heading to one of the chapters. It is the only personal story that appears in the "Basic Text" portion of the book "Narcotics Anonymous".

Answer: Jimmy K

I was one of those addicts who had not yet been born, but would someday need it! Thank you Jimmy K! (And thank God for NA!) For more information visit http://NA.org