Hospitals & Institutions
What Is an H&I Meeting? The purpose of an H&I meeting is to carry the message of recovery to addicts who do not have full access to regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings. H&I meetings, except for those in long-term facilities, are intended to introduce those addicts in attendance to the basics of the NA program. In order to form a clear understanding of an H&I meeting, it is important to learn about our service structure. An H&I meeting is generally a service provided by an area service committee’s H&I subcommittee. These meetings occur in hospitals, treatment centers, correctional facilities, and adolescent institutions. Rather than being an NA group, it is vital that an H&I meeting always be held under the direction of an H&I subcommittee.
Why Do I Get Involved? Hospitals and institutions service offers addicts an opportunity to demonstrate gratitude, fulfill responsibility, and share the NA message without expectations. It is also an effective tool that helps us stay clean, and keeps us coming back. The H&I message is the same as the NA message: “That an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.”1 The gift we share is hope and freedom from active addiction through the program of Narcotics Anonymous. Any NA member who wants to carry this message is encouraged to get involved with H&I service. There are many ways to serve in Narcotics Anonymous, and many of us have found H&I service to be the most rewarding aspect of our recovery. We hope that this pamphlet will encourage you to get involved with H&I service and experience these rewards for yourself!
Panel Leader: Facilitates the meeting on a regular basis, typically a 1 year commitment, and secures speakers for the meeting. Long term committment.
Meeting Speaker: NA member willing to share a clear message of recovery that occurs at a single meeting. Short term commitment.
Non-Lockdown Facility: Speakers must have 6 months clean time.
Lockdown Facility: Clean time requirement is determined by the facility. Speakers MUST be approved by the facility AND complete orientation. The orientation is typically a 4 hour obligation on a weekday.
Commitment: Addicts that are in residence at hospitals and institutions rely on our commitment to service in order to have the opportunity to receive the message of Narcotics Anonymous. We ask that you carefully consider what commitment means before becoming a panel leader or agreeing to speak. The Oxford dictionary defines commitment as, “The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.” Alternately, “An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.”