What is Narcotics Anonymous?
NA works a lot like a support system for drug addicts. Here, people come together anonymously and free of charge in order to share their addiction problems and support each other en route to recovery. Over the years since its creation during the 1950s, NA has grown to become an organization with over 70,000 meetings going on worldwide, thus keeping a vital lifeline present for those seeking recovery. At the heart of the NA program are the 12 steps: personal responsibility, spiritual development, and mutual support. If you’re interested in learning more about a typical day in a drug rehab program, you can explore additional insights at https://www.methadone.org/get-clean/what-typical-day-in-drug-rehab-looks-like/.
Locations and Meeting Information
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held regularly across the United States, allowing people from all walks of life to find a meeting close to home. The meetings are free of charge and open to anyone who seeks help with their addiction.
New York, NY
- Address: 123 Recovery St., New York, NY 10001
- Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM
- Meeting Details: Using the NA 12-step program, members share their stories and encourage each other in a comfortable setting. The meeting is open to new members and provides an open door for those willing to start their recovery process.
Los Angeles, CA
- Address: 456 Hope Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90001
- Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM, Saturday at 10:00 AM
- Meeting Details: The meetings here are free and open, discussing their addiction, problems, and successes. The group also holds a specific meeting for newcomers to NA, educating them on how to work the 12-step program.
Chicago, IL
- Address: 789 Freedom Blvd., Chicago, IL 60601
- Meeting Time: Sunday at 5:00 PM, Thursday at 8:00 PM
- Meeting Details: The meetings are so arranged that equal weight is given to personal sharing and structured group discussion. Members are encouraged to reflect on the NA literature, and occasionally guest speakers are invited to share their personal stories of recovery.
Meeting Methods and Details
Each meeting is conducted to provide an atmosphere that is accepting and non-judgmental, allowing members to be open. NA meetings usually are conducted in the following ways:
- 12-Step Discussion: The main concentration is on the 12-step program, where members are encouraged to go through the steps at their own pace, either individually or with the help of a sponsor.
- Speaker Meeting: A member or guest speaker leads the meeting with their own story of addiction and subsequent recovery. Group discussion also occurs.
- Open Sharing: The members open up, sharing their struggles and conquests.
- Closed Meetings: This is restricted to bona fide addicts only—a member-only safe environment where he/she can speak about problems personal to himself/herself.
Many of the meetings are anonymous, and the identity and experiences shared by members are not disclosed. This atmosphere of trust and respect is important for recovering addicts.
Narcotics Anonymous is a support network available to anyone who needs help overcoming addiction through regularly scheduled meetings across the country. Whether you’re seeking guidance, encouragement, or just a place to share, NA meetings offer a safe, welcoming space for healing.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous are principles that inspire personal growth, self-awareness, and positive change. These steps are designed to help individuals overcome addiction and live a life of recovery. Below is a brief overview of each step:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. This is an admission of one’s defeat to addiction and the bedlam it causes in one’s life.
- Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members begin to realize the necessity for spiritual intervention to help them with their struggles.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This is the step where one lets go of the control to a higher power and trusts and has faith.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. The members are to think through their behaviors, attitudes, and past actions that needed to be changed.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step invites honesty and openness in admitting the mistakes made in the past.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members become open to change, ready to take on their shortcomings with support from a higher power.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step requires asking for help in the overcoming of personal weaknesses.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. This step encourages accountability and the will to mend relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take action and make reparations for their wrongs in the past.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. This step encourages continued personal inventory and accountability.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Members develop a deeper spiritual connection for guidance and strength.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The final step emphasizes helping others and living the NA principles in daily life.
Starting Your NA in the USA
Finding an NA meeting in your neighborhood is your first step towards your recovery. NA meetings can be found in a face-to-face format or virtual, and most of the states within the United States have these meetings.
Meeting Search
To locate local NA meetings, you can utilize the meeting finder tool at Methadone.org. The website grants you the ability to search for meetings in your vicinity, times, locations, and formats. It’s pretty simple to find a support group nearby with it, or even find virtual meetings when attending in person isn’t possible.
- Search by Location: Enter your city or zip code to locate meetings near you.
- Meeting Information: The website will include the time of meetings, the address, and if the meeting is virtual or in-person.
Most cities in the United States have both in-person and online/virtual meetings, so you can choose which format works best for you and your schedule.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Attending your first NA meeting may mark the beginning of a new stage in your recovery process. NA has two types of meetings: open meetings and closed meetings, serving different purposes and following different formats.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
- Open Meetings: These meetings are open to all, even non-addicts, such as family members, friends, and those interested in learning about the program.
- Closed Meetings: These meetings are for addicts only. They provide a safe environment where members can share their personal experiences without the presence of outsiders.
Meeting Type
| Meeting Type | Who Can Attend | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone-family, friends, newcomers | To introduce the NA program to the greater community and to allow others to understand the recovery process. |
| Closed Meeting | Only addicts or those desiring to become clean | Provide a safe and comfortable environment for addicts to share personal stories and struggles. |
Tips for Attending Your First Meeting
- Arrive Early: Arriving early allows you to get settled, and you can also introduce yourself with others in the group. It helps reduce any anxiety about the first-time experience.
- Introduce Your Membership Status as New: Most NA meetings are friendly, and this could make others understand your status in the meeting and extend helpful friendship to you. You won’t be forced to speak if you are not ready.
- Share Your Experiences: In the meeting, if it makes you feel comfortable, well then, share your personal story of addiction. You could listen to others first, then when you are ready to share, start by voicing your thoughts and struggles.
- Receive Welcome Keychain Tags: At your first meeting, you’ll be given a welcome keychain tag, a small token to mark the beginning of your recovery journey. This tag signifies your commitment to the NA program and is a reminder of the support available to you.
Keychain Tag Milestones
As you progress through recovery, you will be given milestone keychain tags to mark the different levels of your achievements. These milestones are a reflection of your commitment and the length of time you have dedicated to recovery.
- 30 Days: The first keychain tag is given after 30 days of continuous sobriety. It signifies your commitment to a healthier life and is a major step in your recovery.
- 60 Days: The 60-day tag represents continued success and continued progress in the NA program.
- 1 Year: You will be given a tag upon completion of one year of sobriety. It is a very powerful reminder of how far you have come.
- Other Milestones: Beyond one year, members can receive keychain tags for every additional year of recovery. These tags are symbols of long-term commitment and growth in the recovery process.
Your commitment to the recovery process and the progress made so far are celebrated, from attending NA meetings to these milestone tags. The same program of NA gives constant support and recognition to you, whether you are starting or have been in this mode for a longer period, and helps you stay on the right track.