For many of us, it’s hard to imagine recovery without using the Basic Text. At meetings, we begin by reading it, and it is always with us at gatherings. This book, remaining an important part of our path to recovery, has been helping us for many months, years, and even decades. Since the first version of the book “Anonymous Addicts” — known as our Basic Text — came out, our community has grown significantly and changed. The Basic Text has played a defining role in this development. Today, in the world, more than 76,000 NA meetings are held every week, whereas in 1982, when the first edition was approved, there were about 2,700 meetings per week. Back then, in most countries, NA meetings weren’t even held every week.
Now our community is represented in 143 countries and speaks 82 languages, and the text has been translated into 32 languages.
We hope the Sixth Edition of the Basic Text will bring knowledge about recovery to addicts around the world—those who have already found NA groups, and those who will join in the future. Over time, our community has grown and changed; more literature has been added and the books have been updated, but the core idea remains unchanged: any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find new meaning in life. We’re glad to welcome you—stay and become part of our growth and change on the path to recovery.