Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in the USA: Find Support Near You
What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based social support organization for people who feel they have a problem with narcotics. NA was established in the 1950s and has since provided addicted persons with a supportive forum in which to share their experiences and learn from one another in their recovery. NA’s program is based upon a 12-step spiritual philosophy similar to that of Alcoholics Anonymous; it encourages personal responsibility and peer networking for recovery. For those undergoing opioid treatment, it is important to understand the appropriate methadone dose for adults. More information on this can be found here.
Narcotics Anonymous holds free, confidential meetings for individuals suffering from drug addiction in major cities nationwide. No one is ever denied these meetings, which are designed for anyone who wants to quit drugs. The NA program allows members to understand and treat addiction with the compassion that will help them overcome this issue with others who have struggled through similar situations.
Free Program with Regular Group Meetings
NA meetings are free and open to anyone desiring to do so, and members are encouraged to attend regularly as part of their recovery process. Group meetings provide strength from others where members can listen and share their stories and help others. NA meetings differ in format and structure; some are open, which means anyone can attend, while others are closed, meaning only recovering individuals may attend.
Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Places in the USA
NA has a wide range of places across the United States where people from any part of life can go to. Following are some places and details about meetings to be held in particular cities:
Miami, FL
Address:
101 Recovery Drive, Miami, FL 33101
Meetings Time:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Meeting Detail:
- Closed meetings; For the purpose of recovery only
- Discussion of step work and sharing of personal story
- Men’s and women’s groups are provided
- All welcome, no need to sign-up
Houston, TX
Address:
202 Hope Street, Houston, TX 77001
Meetings Time:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Sunday: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Meeting Details:
- Speaker-based meetings that include group sharing
- Meditation and thoughts about 12 steps
- Orientation for newcomers once a week
- There is childcare for parents in recovery
San Francisco, CA
Address:
303 Recovery Lane, San Francisco, CA 94101
Meetings Time:
- Monday to Friday: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Sunday: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Meeting Details:
- Open and closed meetings available
- Personal growth and overcoming addiction are discussed.
- Gender-specific groups available
- Family members are welcome to join.
- Speaker meetings with discussions afterward
- 12-step and traditions study groups
- All meetings are open to newcomers
- Resources for family and friends of those in recovery
Formed in the 1950s, Now Over 70,000 Meetings Globally
Since its inception, Narcotics Anonymous has grown into a worldwide network with over 70,000 meetings in more than 130 countries. The growth of the organization is indicative of the consistent need for addiction recovery support and the success of its peer-led approach. NA meetings are held regularly, ensuring individuals can access support at any stage of their recovery process.
The 12 Steps of NA
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) follows a 12-step program designed to help individuals overcome addiction and achieve lasting recovery. Each step is a tool for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and personal responsibility. Below is a list of the 12 steps, each briefly described:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitted that addiction is out of individual control and has made a mess of every aspect of life. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Believing in a higher power to assist in the recovery process. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Let go of personal control and learn to trust in the recovery process. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Examination of one’s actions, behaviors, and past to see where growth can be accomplished. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Responsibility taken for mistakes made in the past and shared openly. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Willingness to let go of negative traits and embrace positive change. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Ask for help in getting rid of personal defects and weaknesses. - Make a list of all people we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Recognizing those harmed by past actions and getting ready to set things right. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Making the effort to apologize and repair relationships. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-reflection to maintain 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.
Cultivating a deeper spiritual connection to guide recovery. - 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 message of recovery and living the principles through the steps.
How Narcotics Anonymous Works in America
Using the Meeting Locator Tool
Finding a meeting is the first step to starting your NA recovery process in the USA. For finding meetings, methadone.org has a Meeting Search Tool that will help you find local meetings in your area. This tool allows you to search for both in-person and virtual meetings, so you can find a meeting format that best fits your needs.
Most major cities in the USA have several NA meetings, and through their website, it is possible to filter your search results with regard to location, day, and type of meeting. You can also locate special focus groups that deal with demographic or treatment needs. Enter your city or zip code to find information on when and where meetings are held, and whether they are open to the public or reserved for individuals actively seeking recovery.
In-Person and Online/Virtual Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous has flexibility in its meeting formats. While most areas have in-person meetings, online/virtual meetings have become more available, especially in recent years. This has been very helpful for people in rural or underserved areas and for those who, because of personal circumstances, cannot attend physical meetings.
Both face-to-face and virtual meetings function with the same principles and are often given in similar formats. If you go to a physical or virtual meeting, the capability of reaching others who are in recovery, listening to stories, and sharing your story is available if you so wish. The availability of either going virtually or in a real, physical place makes it accessible for anyone to approach NA’s support system.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs Closed Meetings in the USA
When you go to your first NA meeting, there are two major types of meetings you will come across: open and closed. Knowing the difference between these two will help you decide which one is for you.
Open Meetings
- Open to all: These meetings are targeted towards anyone that wants to learn about NA: friends, family, and the curious about how the recovery process works.
- Nonjudgmental atmosphere: These give a comfortable platform to the newcomer to learn the process of the 12-step program and to know the other members of the group.
- Open meeting: People are free to listen to and, if comfortable, share what they feel. Members of the public are, however, not obliged to comment or share.
Closed Meeting
- Private to addicted persons only: These groups accommodate members who have a desire to overcome drug addiction and prefer it to be private and in confidence.
- Personal experiences are shared in closed meetings: Members share their struggles and successes without apprehension, hence allowing a sense of brotherhood.
- Privacy maintained: Those members who may be uncomfortable sharing publicly prefer closed meetings for their personal, secure environment.
Type of Meeting
| Type of Meeting | Who May Attend | Purpose | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Anyone (members & non-members) | To educate and introduce the NA program to the community | Sharing experiences, introductions, presentations |
| Closed | NA members only | Provide anonymity to the recovering addict | Personal stories, group sharing, and support discussions |
Arriving Early and Introducing Yourself
When going to your first NA meeting, it is best to get there a little earlier. This will give the person some time to compose themselves and get used to their surroundings. In addition, this enables them to introduce themselves as newcomers, making it less intimidating as they enter the meeting.
Introductions can be a straightforward means of letting others know you’re new and starting this phase of your recovery process. You might find that members support you with words of encouragement and this could ease early apprehension.
Sharing Your Experiences
If, at your first meeting, you are uncomfortable telling your personal story, that is okay, and you are never forced to speak if you do not want to. On the other hand, many members find sharing their experiences-even briefly-to be a cathartic and helpful step in the healing process.
If comfortable, you can share struggles, hopes, and commitment to recovery. With time, this will become easier as sharing one’s journey can promote deeper connections with others in the group and reinforce a personal commitment to overcome addiction.
Welcome Keychain Tags
At your initial NA meeting, you may be given a welcome keychain tag in commemoration of your recovery commitment. It is a symbolic token for your first step towards recovery. This tag reminds you of your commitment to remain clean and that you are not alone; the NA community is behind you.
Milestones Tag
As you progress in your recovery journey, you will receive keychain tags to mark important milestones. These milestones represent the time you’ve stayed sober and the progress you’ve made. Some common milestones include:
- 30 Days
- 60 Days
- 90 Days
- 1 Year
- Multiple Years
These milestones are celebrated in meetings and serve as a motivational tool for continued growth and recovery. Each tag you receive symbolizes the hard work and dedication you’ve put into your sobriety.
