What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is a support group organization that helps people in drug addiction. NA was founded in the 1950s and has grown into one of the largest organizations that exists today, with more than 70,000 meetings happening all over the world. This program provides a free, accepting atmosphere for those desiring to be free from their addiction to drugs, including prescription medication, alcohol, and other illegal substances. NA is based on a 12-step recovery program, like many other recovery groups, and it offers an environment in which members may share experiences, give each other support, and encourage their peers in their efforts of recovery. This allows the meetings to be peer-led in support. To find local meetings in your area, check methadone website. Meetings are led by a member of NA who has experienced addiction themselves.
Support Group Availability in U.S. Cities
There are regular NA meetings in almost every city in the United States. Such meetings create a very important environment of mutual support for people affected by drug addiction. Large or small, there is always a meeting that can match just about any need and just about any schedule. Whether you are at the start or advanced in your recovery process, these meetings are open to all.
NA is committed to providing a safe and confidential environment for its members, whereby participants can share their struggles and successes without fear of judgment. The availability of meetings in cities across the U.S. ensures support is accessible to anyone who seeks help.
Common Locations for NA Meetings
Below are just a few examples of locations and details of regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings held in U.S. cities.
Chicago, IL
Address: 789 Serenity St., Chicago, IL 60601
Meeting Times:
- Monday, Wednesday: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Meeting Methods/Details:
- Step Study meetings to work the 12 steps
- Meditation and reflection exercises
- Strong focus on community support and sponsorship
- Closed meetings for people who define themselves as suffering from addiction
Los Angeles, CA
Address: 123 Recovery Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90001
Meeting Times:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Meeting Methods/Details:
- Open Discussion format
- Members share their experiences with addiction and recovery
- 12-step focused
- Newcomer-friendly meetings available
New York City, NY
Address: 456 Hope Blvd., New York, NY 10001
Meeting Times:
- Tuesday, Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Meeting Methods/Details:
- Speaker meetings where invited speakers share their personal stories
- Sharing circle where everyone is encouraged to participate
- Focus on building trust and creating accountability
- Available in multiple languages, including Spanish and English
Over 70,000 Meetings Globally
From its humble beginnings in the 1950s, Narcotics Anonymous has grown from a small support group to a global organization with over 70,000 meetings held across the world. Such expansion ensures that no matter where one is, it’s possible for them to receive the help needed in their addiction problems and to keep moving on with their recovery process. Whether face-to-face or through virtual meetings, NA has so much to offer those who are dedicated to their decision to live their lives free from substance dependence.
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous
The steps of Narcotics Anonymous provide principles to live by that not only help people in quitting but also in bringing about long-term sobriety. As such, these steps promote great change through self-awareness and personal growth. Following is a short description of what each one implies:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitted the impact of addiction and recognized the need for help. - Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Development of faith in a higher power, whatever that may be to the individual. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Surrendering control and accepting guidance from a higher power. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Personal flaws and behaviors that lead to addiction are reflected on. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Responsibility is taken for past actions, and honesty is sought. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Willingness to change and seek improvement in personal traits. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Asking for help in overcoming personal weaknesses and flaws. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Identifying those affected by past behaviors and preparing to apologize. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Taking concrete steps to repair relationships and restore trust. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-assessment and accountability for actions. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Strengthening spiritual practices and seeking inner peace. - 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.
Sharing the experience of recovery with others; application of the principles in daily life.
Getting Started with NA in the United States
Find Local NA Meetings
To get started with Narcotics Anonymous, find local meetings in your area using the meeting search tool on methadone.org. You can enter your location to find either in-person or online/virtual meetings. With the meetings being held across the United States, NA has a huge range, so you are able to find one no matter what part of the country you are in. Whether you like to attend in-person meetings or virtually, one way or another, there is something for everyone. Also, most communities have special resources and even a telephone number one can use when searching for more meetings or any other information concerning a meeting.
In-Person and Virtual Meetings
In-Person Meetings: Community centers, churches, and other public venues offer face-to-face contact and a sense of camaraderie among members.
Online/Virtual Meetings: For people who cannot make it in person, this is an accommodation that allows one to reach out from the comfort of their own home or any other place with internet access. These meetings also offer greater accessibility to those with busy schedules and/or limited transportation options.
By using methadone.org, you will be able to find both options that best fit your needs and preferences, so you can make sure support is available when you need it.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs Closed Meetings
When you go to your first Narcotics Anonymous meeting, there are a few things you should know. Understanding the difference between an open and closed meeting will help you decide which meeting type best fits your particular situation and preference.
| Meeting Type | Description | Who May Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to all people, whether they are addicted or not. Open meeting welcomes friends, relatives, and newcomers who wish to learn about NA. | Anybody can attend, addicts or non-addicts, families, and supporters. |
| Closed Meeting | For people with an active problem of addiction who feel the need for assistance. | Only addicts may attend. |
First Meeting Experience
When attending your first meeting, it’s helpful to arrive early to familiarize yourself with the setting and introduce yourself as a new member. Introducing yourself allows you to feel more comfortable and helps others offer support. If you’re willing, you can also share your experiences during the meeting, though it’s not required.
Receiving Your Welcome Keychain Tags
At your first meeting, you will get a welcome keychain tag which symbolizes your commitment to recovery. These NA key tags are part of tradition and you will receive them throughout your period of recovery milestones. As you progress, each milestone enables you to appreciate how your journey is measured. That is, reminding you with the following tags:
- 30 Days: Recognize that you passed your first month of getting sober and recovering.
- 60 Days: Celebrate two months of sobriety, a further milestone for the individual in his journey.
- 90 Days: Three months of maintaining sobriety is another very important milestone to acknowledge your determination.
- 1 Year: Compliment yourself on the accomplishment of one full year in recovery and growth.
- Milestones Over 1 Year: Also include tags for the extra years of sobriety; they celebrate continued commitment and success.
These tags provide great encouragement and are something real and tangible in the process of one’s recovery journey.