Although the name “Cocaine Anonymous” sounds drug-specific, our program is not. We’ve learned that the real problem isn’t one substance but the disease of addiction, which is why our First Step and Third Tradition include “and all other mind-altering substances.” Membership is simple: a desire to stop using—whatever you used—means you’re welcome here. Substitution is no cure; many of us tried swapping drugs and found the same result: we couldn’t stop. In C.A. we focus on similarities, not differences, and listen with an open mind to find a solution that helps us live sober, together.
While the name “Cocaine Anonymous” may sound drug-specific, we wish to assure you that our program is not. Many of our members did a lot of cocaine; others used only a little, and some never even tried coke. We have members who drank only on occasion, those who casually referred to themselves as drunks, and others who were full-blown alcoholics. Lots of us used a wide variety of mind-altering substances. Whether we focused on a specific substance or used whatever we could get our hands on, we had one thing in common: eventually we all reached a point where we could not stop.
According to C.A.’s Third Tradition, the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. Whatever you may have been using, if it led you to this meeting, you’re probably in the right place. Over time, virtually every single one of us has realized that our real problem is not cocaine or any specific drug; it is the disease of addiction.
This is an excerpt. The complete pamphlet is published by C.A. World Services; you can read more about it on ca.org.