Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) has been making a profound impact on addicts who are unable to attend traditional meetings by bringing the fellowship to them through Hospitals and Institutions. These committees around the country organize meetings in rehabs, sober living homes, hospitals, and jails, ensuring that those who need support receive it. We spoke with three dedicated CMA members—Texie, James, and Craig— who have played instrumental roles in organizing and expanding H&I meetings in their respective areas. Their stories demonstrate the resilience, dedication, and innovative approaches that make H&I a vital service within CMA.
Texie’s Story: Building H&I in Colorado
Texie’s journey with H&I began during her own time in rehab. “I was there for 90 days, and there were two H&I meetings,” she recalled. “One of them was a CMA meeting, and it just clicked for me. When I got out, I went straight to an H&I organizational meeting.” From there, she was mentored by Sarah G., who eventually became her sponsor, and she quickly became immersed in H&I service.
Texie’s early efforts included taking CMA meetings to outpatient programs at behavioral health centers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person meetings were not an option, she got creative and started a Google form to track meeting status and ensure continuity. “That’s when I really felt like I was doing something,” she said. Today, Colorado has six active H&I meetings, with a mix of in-person and online formats, including one for drug court participants that may soon transition to in-person meetings.
Texie and her team use multiple resources to keep meetings engaging and effective. “We use the ‘12 Steps for Crystal Meth Addicts’ book, meditations from the CMA website, SoundCloud shares, and guest speakers,” she said. One of the most creative approaches they’ve taken is using business cards with images of CMA chips on them. “They absolutely love them! When they get out, they can trade them in at a meeting for a plastic chip.”
Finding new meeting locations often happens through word of mouth or outreach events, such as the annual recovery gathering in Denver. Recently, they worked to get CMA literature into all 22 prisons in Colorado. “The H&I Advisory Committee helped us with that,” she said. But maintaining meetings is a challenge. “We need enough volunteers to support every meeting. We track each meeting to ensure consistency and keep a list of willing volunteers. Just maintaining that list is a lot of work. But I do it because I love H&I and I love helping other addicts.”
James’ Story: Expanding H&I in Arizona
James got involved with H&I after his sponsor encouraged him to join a service committee. “I went to my first meeting at Jerry’s Restaurant, and it happened to be election night,” he said. Though he didn’t win a position due to his newness, he remained determined. “I started my own H&I meeting at my treatment center and came back the next month to tell them.” Since then, he has worked nearly every position in H&I and has been active in service since 2012.
One of the biggest challenges in Arizona is a shortage of volunteers. To combat this, they host an annual H&I Day, which includes food, speaker meetings, and themed panels to energize volunteers. “One panel pairs someone who spoke at an H&I meeting with a person who first heard them inside a facility—it’s powerful.” Fun activities, like the ‘Jail and Bail’ game, also help generate enthusiasm and recruit new members.
James recalled how difficult it was to get CMA into hospitals and jails in the early 2000s. “We were the redheaded stepchild. They didn’t think we had history, so we had to prove ourselves.” Their persistence paid off, and today, Arizona CMA has 50 or more weekly H&I meetings, including some inside jails and prisons.
Recently, they received a letter from an inmate at Safford prison, where an unofficial CMA meeting had started inside the walls. “They reached out to us to be recognized. That was a huge moment,” James said. They also launched the “HMO” (Hospital Meeting Organizer) initiative, ensuring that addicts in hospitals can access a meeting either in-person or via Zoom.
Technology has also played a role in organizing Arizona’s H&I efforts. “We maintain a giant spreadsheet tracking all meetings, and we map facility locations to place volunteers at the nearest meeting,” James explained. “We’re using Google tools to make sure people get connected.”
Craig’s Story: Revitalizing H&I in New York
Craig was one of the first H&I chairs for CMA in New York back in 2001, but after some time away, he returned to find the committee in decline. “There was only one H&I meeting left, run by one person,” he said. Though reluctant to take on leadership, he stepped up when the newly elected chair relapsed. “I knew I had to do it.”
He immediately worked on expanding the team, ensuring that different members chaired meetings on a rotating basis. This helped create a sustainable program rather than relying on one or two individuals. He also focused on local facilities in New York City, where transportation was easier for volunteers.
Craig reached out to treatment centers and helped establish a new meeting at Rivington House. He also connected with Scott W., an AA H&I leader, who encouraged CMA to bring meetings to Rikers Island. Initially hesitant, Craig saw it as a sign when a new member from Delaware, who had served time, expressed a strong desire to start a prison meeting. “So we started the process—background checks, training, everything. It’s been a long road, but we’re finally getting there.”
One of Craig’s most rewarding experiences was seeing the direct impact of H&I. “There was a guy at Rivington House who had been pronounced dead and revived. He’d never been sober before, but after hearing us, he came to a CMA meeting. Now, he’s a big part of the fellowship.”
Craig emphasized the transformative power of H&I. “Every time I chair a meeting, it’s magical. The people inside are excited about their sobriety. Their gratitude changes my spirit for an hour. It reminds me where I came from.”
The dedication of CMA’s H&I committees ensures that those struggling with addiction, even in confined settings, have access to the fellowship and recovery tools they need. Texie, James, and Craig demonstrate perseverance, innovation, and service, and how individuals can break barriers and bring hope to those who need it most. Their work exemplifies the essence of CMA’s mission—helping addicts find freedom from active addiction, no matter where they are.