What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide community-based support group that desires to help people who struggle with drug addiction. This organization offers a free, anonymous program to help people recover. Meetings are held in all major cities in the United States, where members may share their experiences with other members who have similar experiences. The approach of NA in trying to help its members overcome addiction is based on the principles of mutual support, personal responsibility, and spiritual development. For those considering a comprehensive recovery program, understanding how to choose a rehab can provide additional guidance in finding the right support alongside NA meetings.
Support Group for Drug Addiction
Narcotics Anonymous provides them all with a safe, caring place to talk about drug dependence. Anyone who really desires to cease using drugs and has reached a sufficient point of frustration may show up at NA meetings. Basically, the NA program is centered upon the 12-Step model that encourages all addicted individuals to take their individual responsibility in recovery for some positive change in life to become possible. The meetings are centered around discussions, sharing experiences, as well as support for co-members. The approach adopted at NA is based upon helping oneself by helping others so that people can remain clean and get their lives rebuilt.
NA meetings are held regularly throughout the country, and individuals are encouraged to attend as many as they need to feel supported in their recovery journey. Whether in large cities or smaller communities, these meetings provide an essential network for those in need.
Free Program and Available to Anyone through Regular Group Meetings
One of the fundamental advantages of Narcotics Anonymous is that the program itself comes free of charge; anyone needs it. The sole manner through which NA gains the money needed is by member donation. Therefore, for those in dire need but possess no money to give can do so when their finances change and they are able. Likewise, regular group meetings organized nationwide provide consistency.
NA Meeting Places and Times
Following are some locations in the USA where Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held:
New York City
- Address: 123 Recovery St., New York, NY 10001
- Meeting Time: Monday at 6.00 PM, Wednesday at 10.00 AM, and Friday at 7.00 PM
- Details of Meetings: The meetings will be about open discussions, 12-Step workshops, and sponsor support. The group shall be determined to help people cope with addiction and lead a drug-free life.
Los Angeles
- Address: 456 Healing Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90001
- Meeting Time: Tuesdays at 5:00 PM, Thursdays at 8:00 AM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM
- Meeting Details: NA meetings adopt various discussion groups and speaker formats. All newcomers are embraced into open arms, while the meeting accommodates the sharing of both recent members and long-time attendees alike.
Chicago
- Address: 789 Recovery Dr., Chicago, IL 60601
- Meeting Time: Sundays at 3:00 PM, Mondays at 6:30 PM, Fridays at 9:00 AM
- Meeting Details: These meetings are designed for individuals who are committed to their recovery. They include step work sessions, meditation, and group discussions aimed at building lasting sobriety.
Founded in the 1950s, Now Over 70,000 Meetings Globally
Narcotics Anonymous was founded in the 1950s, with the first meetings being held in California. From the first meeting, the program expanded rapidly, and today, there are more than 70,000 meetings held worldwide. The expansion of the program has reached more than 140 countries, with the highest number of programs in the United States. These meetings are an invaluable source for people struggling to recover from drug addiction, and they still bring hope into the lives of people on a daily basis.
The 12 Steps of NA
NA Narcotics Anonymous uses the 12-Step program for recovery from addiction and attaining long-term sobriety. Each step will help encourage self-reflection, accountability, and personal growth. Here are the 12 Steps of NA:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step addresses the admission of powerlessness in addiction and the lack of control over life. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
This instills in them faith in a superpower to assist in recovering from the disease. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
In this step, one is taken through trusting the superpower, letting go of oneself and one’s life for change. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Members reflect on their behaviors and attitudes to understand what must be changed. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Sharing personal struggles and personal admissions to others helps the release of guilt and shame. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
This is a readiness step in changing and taking action towards removing personal shortcomings. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
It focuses on seeking help to overcome negative traits and behaviors. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
This encourages taking responsibility for past actions and seeking to repair relationships. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Members take action to restore their relationships, when safe and appropriate. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
In taking continued self-assessment, the progress in recovery can be maintained. - 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.
The necessity of spiritual practice throughout recovery is emphasized in this step. - 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.
This last step invites the sharing of the NA message and also living the principles day to day.
Getting Started with NA in the USA
The first thing you will need to do to get started with NA is to find a local meeting. You can start by using the meeting search tool here at methadone.org to find NA meetings in your area. The tool offers a complete list of meetings-in-person and online-to help you find what works best for you. NA meetings are held all around the United States, and offering virtual meetings means you can feel the support from anywhere. For people who may struggle with attending in-person meetings due to their physical location, health, and other personal issues, the online option makes life so much easier. Whether your preference is to physically be at a meeting or feel more comfortable virtually, several options will suit your lifestyle and comfort.
In-person and Online Meetings
Most areas within the United States have meetings in a physical place and online for convenience to anyone searching for their help.
- In-Person: In-person meetings are face-to-face in a location, usually a church, community center, and/or a treatment facility. It would be beneficial for in-person meetings because members will have time to interact directly with the other members, building camaraderie and friendship in the group.
- Online/Virtual Meetings: These meetings occur over video conferencing platforms for convenient, at-home participation. Virtual meetings, as the name describes, allow people in different locations to participate in the same meeting. Major geographical barriers are taken away, and more people have access.
Both formats work around the same core principles; the only difference is convenience and which environment works for you.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Attending your first Narcotics Anonymous meeting can feel overwhelming, but understanding the different types of meetings can help you feel more comfortable.
Open vs Closed Meetings
NA offers two types of meetings: open and closed. Here’s a quick overview of each:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | Open meetings are open to anyone, including family members, friends, or people interested in how the program works. They will give a broader view into recovery and support. |
| Closed | Closed meetings are reserved only for those who feel that they have a drug addiction problem. This is where a safe, non-threatening environment is provided for recovery active people. |
It’s a good idea to show up early for your first meeting. This allows time to get settled, signed in, and acclimated. Upon arrival, let others know that you are a newcomer. NA members are friendly, and other members will generally introduce themselves and make you feel at ease.
Sharing Your Experiences
At the meeting, if comfortable to do so, share your experiences. Some newcomers find it therapeutic to share about their struggle and journey; others like to just listen at first. That is perfectly okay, and no one will ever force you to share more than you wish to.
Welcome Keychain Tags
At your first meeting, you will be given a welcome keychain tag that represents your dedication to recovery. The token is your introduction into the NA and shows you that you are not alone. The keychain tag is usually presented for having attended your first meeting to help identify and build your sense of belonging.
Milestone Tags
As you progress in your recovery, NA provides milestone keychain tags to celebrate the big achievements in sobriety. These milestones inspire personal growth and recognize your dedication to the recovery process. The common milestones include:
- 30 Days: The first major milestone, one month of sobriety.
- 60 Days: Two months of recovery, showing continued progress and dedication.
- 1 Year: One year of sobriety, a big accomplishment in the recovery journey.
Additional tags are provided in durations like 18 months, 2 years, and so on, and have been used to further reinforce commitment to sober life on an ongoing basis.