Taking the step to attend your first Heroin Anonymous (HA) meeting can feel intimidating, but it’s a brave decision that marks the beginning of your recovery journey. Many newcomers experience anxiety about what to expect, how to behave, or whether they’ll be judged. These concerns are completely normal. This guide aims to demystify the HA meeting experience, providing you with practical information to help ease your transition into this supportive recovery community. Remember that everyone in that room had a first meeting once, and most members vividly recall their own initial nervousness.
Heroin Anonymous represents a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from heroin addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using heroin. There are no dues or fees for HA membership; they are self-supporting through their own contributions. HA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution.
| HA Core Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | To stay sober and help other heroin addicts achieve sobriety |
| Foundation | The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions |
| Membership Requirement | A desire to stop using heroin |
| Cost | Free (voluntary contributions accepted) |
Heroin Anonymous operates on the principle that one addict helping another provides a level of mutual understanding that is unparalleled. The primary purpose remains helping heroin addicts achieve and maintain sobriety. Like other 12-step programs, HA follows a set of spiritual principles designed to remove the obsession to use and replace it with a new way of living.
The 12 steps provide a structured path to recovery, beginning with admitting powerlessness over heroin and culminating in helping others achieve sobriety. These steps aren’t meant to be rushed but experienced thoroughly with guidance. The concept of a higher power is central to the program, though members define this power according to their own understanding—it could be God, the group itself, or any force greater than oneself.
While HA shares the same fundamental 12-step structure as Alcoholics Anonymous, it specifically addresses the unique challenges faced by heroin addicts. The fellowship focuses on the particular physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of heroin addiction that may differ from other substance dependencies.
In HA meetings, you’ll hear stories specifically about heroin use, withdrawal, and recovery, which creates a more targeted support environment. Many members find this specificity helpful, as they can relate more directly to others’ experiences. Unlike some other recovery programs, HA embraces complete abstinence from all mind-altering substances, not just heroin, recognizing the risk of cross-addiction.
HA also tends to be smaller than more established programs like AA, which can create an intimate atmosphere that some newcomers find less overwhelming. However, the principles of anonymity, support, and working the steps remain consistent across all 12-step fellowships.
Preparation can significantly reduce anxiety about attending your first meeting. Taking some time to understand what to expect and organizing practical details can help you focus on the experience rather than logistics.
Locating an HA meeting has become easier with technology, though HA has fewer meetings than larger fellowships like AA. Start by visiting the official Heroin Anonymous website, which maintains a directory of registered meetings across the country. Many cities also have local central offices with hotlines that can provide up-to-date meeting information.
If you can’t find an HA meeting nearby, consider attending other 12-step meetings focused on addiction, such as Narcotics Anonymous, which welcomes people with any substance use disorder. Many recovery principles overlap, and having support is more important than finding the perfect program match, especially when beginning your recovery journey.
When selecting your first meeting, consider factors like location, timing, and meeting type. Some newcomers prefer larger meetings where they can observe anonymously, while others feel more comfortable in smaller groups. Meeting locations vary widely and may include community centers, churches, hospitals, or treatment facilities.
The decision to attend a meeting often comes during a time of crisis or significant emotional turmoil. Acknowledge that feeling nervous, skeptical, or even resistant is normal. Many members report having these same feelings before their first meeting.
Set realistic expectations for yourself. You don’t need to share, make friends, or commit to anything during your first meeting. Your only goal should be to attend and listen. Consider bringing a supportive friend or family member to an open meeting if that would make you more comfortable.
Remind yourself why you’re considering attending. Whether you’re seeking sobriety, struggling with relapse, or simply curious about recovery options, connecting with your motivation can help overcome hesitation. Many find it helpful to write down their reasons before attending.
While each HA meeting has its own character, most follow a similar general structure that provides consistency and comfort to members. Understanding this structure can help alleviate anxiety about the unknown.
Most HA meetings last approximately 60-90 minutes. They typically begin with the chairperson reading the HA preamble and other introductory materials that outline the purpose of the meeting. This is followed by introductions, where members may state their first name and identify as an addict (though this is optional, especially for newcomers).
The meeting format usually includes readings from HA literature, which introduce key concepts of recovery. The main portion of the meeting might feature a speaker sharing their personal story or a discussion on a specific recovery topic. Toward the end, there’s often time for announcements, celebration of sobriety milestones, and passing of a voluntary contribution basket.
Meetings typically close with members standing in a circle, holding hands, and reciting the Serenity Prayer or another reading. This ritual creates a sense of unity and closure. The entire experience is designed to be welcoming rather than intimidating, though it may feel unfamiliar at first.
HA offers both open and closed meetings, each serving different purposes. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about heroin addiction and recovery, including family members, friends, healthcare professionals, or students. These meetings can be a good starting point if you’re uncertain about whether HA is right for you.
Closed meetings are exclusively for those who have a desire to stop using heroin. These meetings often involve more personal sharing and discussion of specific recovery challenges. The closed format creates a space where members can speak freely about their experiences without concern for how non-addicts might perceive them.
When looking at meeting schedules, meetings will be clearly marked as open or closed. If you’re attending with a supportive person who doesn’t identify as an addict, be sure to choose an open meeting.
HA meetings come in various formats, each offering different recovery experiences. Speaker meetings feature one or more members sharing their personal stories of addiction and recovery for most of the meeting time. These can be particularly helpful for newcomers as they demonstrate that recovery is possible.
Discussion meetings focus on a specific topic related to recovery, with members taking turns sharing their thoughts and experiences. Common topics include steps, traditions, gratitude, or dealing with triggers. Literature meetings involve reading and discussing passages from HA-approved literature or the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, which HA has adapted for its use.
Step meetings concentrate specifically on understanding and working through the 12 steps. These meetings often follow a structured format where each step is examined in detail. Newcomer meetings are specifically designed to welcome those new to recovery, focusing on basic concepts and addressing common questions.
One of the most common concerns for newcomers involves what will be expected of them during meetings. Understanding participation norms can help alleviate this anxiety.
The most important thing to know is that sharing is always voluntary. No one will call on you or force you to speak if you don’t want to. Many people attend several meetings before feeling comfortable enough to share. If asked to introduce yourself, simply stating your first name is sufficient.
When members do share, they typically speak from their own experience rather than giving advice to others. Personal stories and reflections on one’s own journey are encouraged, while direct advice or commentary on others’ shares (known as “cross-talk”) is generally discouraged.
If you do decide to share, keep your comments focused on your own experience with heroin addiction and recovery. There’s no need to impress anyone or craft a perfect narrative. Honesty is valued above eloquence in HA meetings.
Anonymity forms the spiritual foundation of HA and creates a safe environment where people can speak openly without fear of their identity or stories being revealed outside the meeting. The principle is often summarized as “who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”
This means that members don’t discuss who attends meetings or what is shared there with people outside the program. Anonymous participation protects everyone’s privacy and allows for honest sharing without fear of social, professional, or legal consequences.
Respecting anonymity also means not using last names and being cautious about identifying details when sharing. In today’s digital world, it extends to not posting about others’ attendance or shares on social media. This principle has kept 12-step programs safe for members for decades.
Beyond the formal meeting structure lies the heart of HA—the fellowship. This community aspect provides ongoing support that many find essential to sustained recovery.
After meetings, members often gather informally to continue conversations, sometimes at a nearby coffee shop or restaurant. These “meetings after the meeting” provide opportunities for newcomers to ask questions and connect with others in a less structured environment.
Don’t be surprised if people approach you after your first meeting to welcome you. Many members remember their own first meeting and make a point of reaching out to newcomers. They may offer phone numbers and encourage you to call if you’re struggling between meetings.
Building connections takes time, but regular attendance at the same meetings helps develop relationships. Many members report that the fellowship—the sense of belonging and understanding—becomes as important to their recovery as the formal program itself.
A sponsor is someone with established sobriety who guides another member through the 12 steps. While you won’t need to find a sponsor immediately, understanding this relationship helps explain interactions you’ll observe at meetings.
Sponsors share their experience, strength, and hope on a one-to-one basis, offering practical guidance based on their own recovery journey. This relationship is voluntary, confidential, and can be ended by either person if it’s not working well.
When you’re ready, listen to different members share during meetings to identify someone whose recovery resonates with you. Ideal sponsors typically have at least a year of continuous sobriety and have worked through the 12 steps themselves. The relationship works best when there’s mutual respect and compatibility.
Your recovery journey doesn’t end when the meeting closes. How you process and follow up on your experience plays a crucial role in building a foundation for sobriety.
After attending your first meeting, take time to reflect on your experience without judgment. Consider what felt helpful or resonated with you, as well as any aspects that felt uncomfortable. Remember that discomfort doesn’t necessarily mean the program isn’t right for you—recovery often involves facing difficult emotions.
Many find it helpful to journal about their impressions or discuss them with a trusted person who supports their recovery. If certain shares or concepts confused you, note these questions to ask at future meetings or to discuss with potential sponsors.
Be gentle with yourself during this process. Recovery is not about perfection but progress, and attending your first meeting is a significant step regardless of how you felt about it.
Most HA members suggest attending at least six different meetings before deciding whether the program is right for you. Each meeting has its own character, and your experience can vary significantly depending on the format, attendees, and even your own state of mind on a given day.
Many long-term members recommend “90 meetings in 90 days” for newcomers, suggesting daily attendance to immerse yourself in recovery principles during the vulnerable early period. While this intensive schedule isn’t possible for everyone, regular attendance provides structure and reinforcement that many find crucial to establishing sobriety.
If HA doesn’t feel like the right fit after giving it a fair chance, explore other recovery options rather than abandoning your recovery journey altogether. Different approaches work for different people, and the important thing is finding support that works for you.
Taking that first step through the door of an HA meeting represents courage and hope. Remember that every person in that room has been where you are now—taking their first tentative steps toward recovery. The HA program offers not just a path to abstinence from heroin but a new way of living and connecting with others who truly understand your struggles.
The journey of recovery isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Whether HA becomes your primary support system or one component of a broader recovery plan, reaching out for help marks the beginning of possibility. Many members describe finding not just sobriety but a sense of purpose, community, and serenity they never thought possible.
As you consider attending your first meeting, hold onto the knowledge that millions have found recovery through 12-step programs. Your story isn’t over—it might just be beginning its most meaningful chapter.
Do I have to speak at my first HA meeting? No, you can simply observe and listen until you feel comfortable sharing.
What if I’m not sure I’m ready to quit heroin completely? The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using, and many attend their first meetings while still ambivalent about complete abstinence.
Will I be judged for relapsing if I return to meetings? Relapse is recognized as part of many recovery journeys, and members typically offer support rather than judgment when someone returns after a relapse.
How much do HA meetings cost to attend? HA meetings are free to attend, though a voluntary contribution basket is passed to cover expenses like rent and literature.
Can I bring a friend or family member to an HA meeting? You can bring supportive people to open meetings, but closed meetings are reserved for those with a desire to stop using heroin.