What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is an international support group organization that provides a community of recovering addicts who help other addicts attain and maintain sobriety without the use of drugs. NA works on the basis of three simple principles: anonymity, self-help, and mutual support. The NA program offers a recovering environment for people wanting to cease substance abuse. Beginning in the 1950s, NA grew into an international organization with more than 70,000 meetings held worldwide. This is a program based on the belief that addiction is an illness that can be managed provided it gets support. To find local meetings and additional resources, visit our partner methadone.org. This is possible through regular meetings, steps toward recovery, in which one regains their lives.
The NA meetings are free and open to all people who wish to overcome their addiction to drugs, irrespective of the nature of the substances they may be addicted to. Each meeting is a sharing session that offers an opportunity for participants to share experiences, listen to others, and work together towards recovery. No fee or membership dues are charged by Narcotics Anonymous; hence, it is accessible to many people.
Locations of Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in the USA
NA meetings take place in various cities within the United States and thus provide many options where one can get assistance to be part of the recovering population. Some of the major locations within some of the key US cities are highlighted below.
Los Angeles, California
Address:
1234 Recovery Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90001
Meeting Times and Details:
- Meeting Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Meeting Times: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Meeting Type: Open Discussion
- Method: Participants share their personal experiences with addiction and recovery. The meeting is open to anyone interested in attending, including newcomers. It is facilitated by a trained NA sponsor who leads the discussion and provides guidance.
- More Info: Meeting held in comfortable and confidential environment to foster openness and support. Refreshments are available, and all newcomers are welcome to introduce themselves and ask questions.
New York City, New York
Address:
5678 Hope Ave, New York, NY 10001
Meeting Times and Details:
- Meeting Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
- Meeting Times: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
- Meeting Type: Step Study
- Means: The Step Study meeting takes the 12-step process, focusing on a different step each week in the recovery process. This means participants reflect on the principles behind each step, their experiences, and support each other in their individual progress.
- More Info: This is a very helpful meeting for those who wish to work the 12 steps of NA. It is a very structured meeting in recovery and each week is set aside for a specific step. No registration is required and all are welcome.
Chicago, Illinois
Address:
9102 Serenity Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Meeting Times and Details:
- Meeting Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
- Meeting Times: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Meeting Type: Speaker Meeting
- Format: This is a meeting where one or two speakers share their stories of recovery and then a group discussion follows. The idea is to inspire, bring hope, and offer practical advice to the audience.
- More Info: This is a good meeting for those seeking motivational speakers and some sense of community. The speakers relate how they have overcome addiction, thus showing the struggles and triumphs of recovery.
History and Impact of Narcotics Anonymous
The mid-1950s was the birth period for Narcotics Anonymous, which evolved from the Alcoholics Anonymous model for those suffering specifically from narcotic addiction. Since then, Narcotics Anonymous has grown and expanded to a worldwide scale. They hold regular meetings in a variety of cities and countries throughout the world. Today, due to over 70,000 meetings a year happening in the world, it’s considered one of the biggest addiction support programs.
NA is a non-professional approach, so the meetings are run by members who share their experiences, not by counselors or professionals. In this peer-driven model, participants feel equal and part of the community. NA members are encouraged to maintain anonymity so that they can feel safe and free from judgment while working through their recovery process.
By providing a consistent, supportive environment, Narcotics Anonymous offers a route to sobriety for people who do not have access to traditional treatment programs or who need supplementation to other recovery efforts.
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous
The NA 12 Steps are the basic guide by which members living a life of recovery can know happiness and freedom. These steps lead toward self-awareness, growth, and a sense of responsibility, thus encouraging members to change their lives. Each of the steps deals with specific areas of addiction, which enables members to create a solid foundation toward long-term sobriety.
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable.
This step encourages one to admit their addiction and also the effects it has on living. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Members are advised to trust in a power above themselves, believing it could guide them towards recovery. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step involves surrendering control and placing trust in a higher power to help manage the recovery process. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Participants reflect upon their past behaviors and actions in order to understand the addiction patterns. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
This step gives permission to express one’s defects to achieve emotional ventilation for healing. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Members get ready to get rid of those defects in traits and attitudes that might be a factor in their addiction. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Step Nine seeks assistance from a Higher Power to remove destructive habits and thoughts. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Participants identify those they have wronged, preparing themselves as a method for atonement during recovery. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
This step is to take action in the form of repairing relationships and making things right with those who have been harmed by the addiction. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Members commit to ongoing self-reflection and acknowledging mistakes to maintain personal growth. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Participants devote time to spiritual activities that will enhance their relationship with a higher power. - 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 is asking members to give back to other people who are experiencing the same addiction issues they went through while continuing to apply the principles of NA into their lives.
Getting Started with Narcotics Anonymous in the USA
Narcotics Anonymous is one of the most accessible avenues to recovery for drug-addicted people. With thousands of NA meetings in cities and towns across the United States, NA can be initiated from a great resource—the meeting search tool on methadone.org. These meetings are both in-person and online, so people have multiple avenues through which to get support, no matter their location.
Finding Meetings Near You
- Visit Methadone.org: Use the meeting search feature to find NA meetings in your area. The tool provides up-to-date information on meeting times, locations, and formats.
- Meeting Options: Most areas have both, whether you prefer in-person interaction or the convenience of online meetings. Online meetings are especially helpful for those who may face geographical, logistical, or personal challenges attending in person.
- Types of Meetings: You can filter to find the type of meeting you need, whether it is an open, closed, or step study meeting.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Attending your first NA meeting can be a daunting experience, but it is a major step toward recovery. Meetings are friendly, and you will be surrounded by people who have been through the struggles of addiction. It’s good to know what to expect when you go.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
NA has two major types of meetings: open and closed. It is to your advantage to know the differences before attending.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone may attend, including non-addicts or those interested in learning about NA. These meetings are generally less formal and permit broader community involvement. |
| Closed Meeting | Attendance is limited to individuals who describe themselves as addicts or who indicate that they are working on their recovery. These meetings are more personal and offer a safe place for members to share. |
Tips for Your First Meeting
- Arrive Early: A few minutes in advance will give you an opportunity to settle in and get comfortable with the space.
- Introduce Yourself: Newcomers usually introduce themselves at the beginning of such a meeting. You need only say that you’re new and ready to listen and learn.
- Share if You Wish: Although not mandatory on your first meeting, you can share your experiences whenever you are ready. The members will understand your pace and be there to support you in your journey.
Welcome Keychain Tags
One of the special things about going to NA meetings is getting keychain tags when you reach certain milestones in your recovery. These keychains remind you of how far you have come and how much you have accomplished.
Milestones for Keychain Tags
- 30 Days: This is the first keychain that you will get when you have been sober for 30 days. This tag signifies that you are committed to staying clean and that this is your first major step in recovery.
- 60 Days: Another milestone in the road to recovery. This, again, is a token of progress and persistence to keep sober.
- 1 Year: A keychain that one receives after one year of sobriety. This tag is a sign of your success and commitment to maintaining better health.
- More Milestones: At furthered intervals, such as 18 months and then every year afterward, you will be granted keychain tags to let you keep track of your progress. With each progression in recovery, celebrated by a keychain tag, comes the reinforcement of personal growth and renewed commitment to leading a drug-free life.