Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in the United States: Locations and Details

What is Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous is a community-based international support group for active or recovering drug addicts. Narcotics Anonymous started working in the 1950s to offer a platform where the addict can share his feelings, and through mutual sharing and participation, the addicts in recovery collectively help one another. It is free and open to all those facing any kind of problem due to drug addiction, irrespective of their background and drug addiction. NA is based on the principle of anonymity; members have a safe place to share openly about their struggles and successes. To find local meetings, you can use the search tool on https://www.methadone.org/na-meetings/.

NA meetings take place on a regular basis both nationwide and worldwide. This will provide the addict with the resources, structure, and companionship they require in overcoming their addiction. All meetings are peer-group-led; that is, the facilitators of the group have been through the wars of addiction themselves. Local groups and online sessions offer the participants the convenience of location, no matter where the resident lives.

Support Group Availability

Since then, the Narcotics Anonymous program has grown greatly, holding over 70,000 meetings in many places across the world. Within the United States alone, Narcotics Anonymous has regular group meetings available in most cities. These are not necessarily confined to any particular regions, and anyone is allowed, regardless of location.

Meeting Locations and Times

Following are some of the cities that have active Narcotics Anonymous meetings within the United States:

Denver, CO

Address:
321 Recovery Lane, Denver, CO 80202

Meeting Times:

• Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM
• Saturdays at 9:00 AM

Methods/Details:
The Denver meetings are designed to meet the needs of both the newcomer and the person who has been working the 12-step program for some time. The format of the meeting is discussion, with members sharing their personal stories and experiences in recovery. Denver also has a number of specialized meetings, such as gender-specific groups and newcomer orientations, to further help individuals find the best fit for their needs.

San Diego, CA

Address:
567 Serenity Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Meeting Times:

• Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
• Fridays at 8:30 AM
• Sundays at 6:00 PM

Methods/Details:
NA meetings in San Diego are open to any person and work on creating a robust recovery support system. Group discussions are common in such meetings, though one-on-one sharing is also allowed. The group considers recovery on both psychological and emotional levels. Workshops are often held on how to stay sober for a long time. Fellowships and activities other than the meeting help build connections.

Springfield, IL

Address:
890 Peace Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701

Meeting Times:

• Mondays and Fridays at 8:00 PM
• Sundays at 3:00 PM

Methods/Details:
In Springfield, NA meetings are in a traditional format, including group sharing and discussing the 12 steps. Anybody with an addiction problem is welcome, and there is a great emphasis on allowing individuals to share in a non-threatening and confidential environment. The Springfield group also operates family-oriented meetings where the relatives of the ones addicted join and get support on how to handle their loved ones during their recovery process.

These additional cities serve to further illustrate the broad availability and reach of Narcotics Anonymous meetings across the United States, ensuring accessible support for those seeking recovery regardless of their location.

The 12 Steps of NA

1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
   This step helps them to realize the effects of addiction and also to acknowledge that help is needed.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
   Members believe in a power or force bigger than themselves that can guide them toward the process of recovery.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
   This step dwells on relinquishing self-control and trusting in one's recovery process.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
   Individuals' evaluation of their past behaviors and belief systems, and set patterns to determine areas they can work on for self-improvement.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
   Honesty and openness are key as members share their shortcomings and mistakes with others.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
   The readiness for change and the implementation of such change to the flaws identified in Step 4 is the essence of this step.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
   Members look for spiritual power to remove all defects of character and personality that are undesirable.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
   Individuals consider the relationships that have been damaged by their addiction and get ready to make amends.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
   This step highlights accountability and restoration with people where it is safe to do so.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
    It encourages continuous self-evaluation and responsibility for people to further their growth in recovery.
11. 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 members are spiritually growing and maintaining their relationships with their higher power.
12. 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 final step extends an invitation to those who have been members, experiencing a recovery process, to share such, while personal growth is managed at all life levels.

How to Find NA in the United States: Get Started Locally

In getting started with NA in the United States, it all begins with searching for a local meeting. Through methadone.org, one is allowed to get a local NA meeting near them by putting the name of their city or zip code in the search box provided for that purpose on the page. This is a tool that's regularly updated in order to keep people informed about meetings available in the community to help seekers in engaging with the NA community near them.

Most cities have both physical and virtual/online meetings, which are easier to attend regardless of one's location or personal circumstances. Of these, virtual meetings have recently become very popular because they allow flexibility for people who may not be in a position to attend in-person meetings due to health reasons, scheduling, or other concerns.

Types of NA Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous meetings can be divided into two main types: open and closed. These meetings cater to different needs and preferences and offer varying levels of participation.

Open Meetings

Open meetings are available for non-members, family, friends, and any others that may be interested in learning about NA. This group is less concerned with the matter of confidentiality and is designed more as a public relations department of sorts to introduce people at large to the NA program and its methods.

Closed Meetings

Closed meetings are for addicts only. The closed meeting environment gives the addict a chance to be honest without judgment and disclosure. Closed meetings allow for a more personal meeting experience and a closer connection with others in attendance.

Attending Your First Local NA Meeting

Preparing for Your First Meeting

If you are attending your first local NA meeting, it is a good idea to arrive early so that you can become acquainted with the setting and to introduce yourself as a new member. Most groups are friendly, and other members will more than likely be tolerant and understanding. Being early will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions or clarify any details about the meeting format.

Sharing Your Experience

You share nothing about yourself at the meeting—or as much as you wish. Likewise, at an NA meeting, space is provided for each person to share; however, no person is ever required or expected to speak. Many new members just listen until they have heard enough messages and words of encouragement from the group to feel comfortable sharing themselves. For many, the process of sharing is part of their recovery.

Welcome Keychain Tags

At your first NA meeting, you are usually given a welcome keychain tag, which is meant to symbolize your commitment to the recovery process. These keychains are not just tokens but also a reminder of the journey that lies ahead and of the support system available within the NA community.

Milestone Keychains

You can get milestone keychains at different periods to celebrate your success as you go along in recovery. These milestones help you acknowledge the time and effort you have put into maintaining sobriety and continuing to grow in your life. Some of the keychain milestones are:

• 30 Days
• 60 Days
• 90 Days
• 1 Year
• Multiple Years

Each of these milestones indicates the accomplishment of a certain step and receiving a keychain might be an empowering moment for many members, providing a sense of accomplishment and motivating continued progress along the road to recovery.