Stories of Secular Recovery from Addiction through Narcotics Anonymous

Michael E for Secular NA
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Recovery stories from Narcotics Anonymous members who got clean without religion. Each ~20 min episode features a personal share recorded with the speaker's permission. Our guests attend secular NA meetings and offer genuine experiences of strength and hope — without relying on a deity or god. Their stories are proof that another way is possible. This podcast is not formally affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services in any way.

  1. 5d ago

    EPISODE 14 ANNDA

    Annda describes nearly three decades of secret substance abuse that ended when she sought help and found her way to 12 step programs. As an atheist, she ignored the "God stuff" from the start, guided in part by an old-timer who modeled recovery without belief. Ten years into sobriety she discovered Narcotics Anonymous, She describes her recovery as simple, relational, and ongoing — a daily practice that has carried her and her family through continued hardship without a return to use. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  2. Aug 20

    EPISODE 13: JOHN C

    In this episode, we hear from John C, an Australian NA member with nearly 39 years of recovery. In his share, John describes building a secular, humanist path through the Twelve Steps by replacing belief in God with humility, honest self-examination, and a deepening capacity to love the people closest to him. John’s story offers proof that the program bends to fit the person, not the other way around.  Recorded on May 2, 2025 at the Friday, NA Secular Speaker Meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  3. Jul 28

    EPISODE 12: PAMEE

    In this episode, we hear from Pamee who has a 36 year connection with NA, with honest detours along the way.  Pamee speaks about relapse, PTSD, service, and healing with a candor that doesn't flinch. This is a share about staying alive, staying clean, and building a life where both are possible. Lastly, Pamee reminds us that healing runs alongside recovery, not behind it. Recorded on June 10, 2026 at the Wednesday Another Secular Meeting meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  4. Jul 7

    EPISODE 11: BOB O

    In this episode, we hear from Bob O.  Bob reflects on how he talked himself into addiction by romanticizing self-destruction. Bob reminds us that addiction doesn't always take root in trauma or involve a dramatic backstory.  Through choosing recovery and relying on Secular NA, Bob has built a quieter, more honest and fulfilling life. Recorded on March 22, 2025 at the Friday, NA Secular Speaker Meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  5. May 29

    EPISODE 10: PAULETTE

    In this episode, we hear from Paulette. Paulette reflects on 29 years of secular recovery, describing how she found her higher power in the fellowship of NA itself, adapted the 12 Steps to her own values, and built a meaningful, authentic life — earning her bachelor's degree at 60 — without ever believing in a supernatural god. This share was recorded at the  September 2025 New Mexico NA Convention where PAULETTE presented on the topic “Our Need and Capacity for Spiritual Growth is Infinite.” For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  6. May 16

    EPISODE 9: GARY

    Gary came into Narcotics Anonymous in 1987 after a therapist handed him a helpline number — not by choice, but by accident — and found himself at home almost immediately, despite rejecting the program's religious underpinnings. Over nearly four decades of uninterrupted recovery, he has built his clean life around sponsorship, service work, and a fierce commitment to keeping NA meetings safe for newcomers. Recorded on Feb 12, 2025 at the Wednesday, NA Another Secular Meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  7. May 6

    EPISODE 8: ANNE MARIE

    Coming into NA at age 46 after a lifetime of addiction, violence, and poverty, Anne Marie found in the rooms something she had never experienced: hope, acceptance, and the possibility of change. Over nearly 13 years of recovery, she discovered that special interest groups — secular, queer, women-only — provided the smaller, safer containers she needed to surface and integrate the parts of herself she had long hidden, ultimately reframing the program’s concept of god as the growing self-awareness that allows her to choose healing over harm. Recorded on April 17, 2026 at the Friday, NA Secular Speaker Meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

  8. Apr 24

    EPISODE 7: MAGGIE

    In this episode, we hear from Maggie, who shares how fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and seemingly small, early tendencies (such as being fixated on salt), led to addiction.  She explains that she sees Recovery as lifelong process built on integrity and willingness, and also tells how she built nearly two decades of recovery without relying on a higher power.  "I do live as best I can my program, the steps. I'm engaged, I'm involved, I have service positions — and I think sometimes if there is a fall-off of doing steps, having service is a really good idea too."  In terms of a higher power, Maggie offers a secular reinterpretation of “HP” : "For the HP part — higher purpose. Doesn't have to be higher power, because I have a direction that is bigger than me, right? And I have so much that I can depend on and work on, and I will always have a future as long as I let it be." Recorded on Feb 21, 2025 at the Friday, NA Secular Speaker Meeting. For more information on recovery from addiction through Narcotics Anonymous 12 step program from a secular, non-religious approach, please check out secularna.org **  This podcast is not formally affiliated in any way with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services. ** Comments are welcome. Email to: secularna@gmail.com

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Recovery stories from Narcotics Anonymous members who got clean without religion. Each ~20 min episode features a personal share recorded with the speaker's permission. Our guests attend secular NA meetings and offer genuine experiences of strength and hope — without relying on a deity or god. Their stories are proof that another way is possible. This podcast is not formally affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous World Services in any way.

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