Author: Tina Chang

Find an NA Meeting Near Me

If you feel that substance abuse is causing significant damage to your life, or to the life or someone you love, attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings, also called NA meetings, may help. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a 12-step program for those who struggle with substance abuse and are ready to accept help and work toward abstinence from their drug dependence.

In this article:

• How Do I Find NA Meetings Near Me?
• What is Narcotics Anonymous?
• Who are NA Meetings For?
• What Happens at an NA Meeting?
• How Often Should I Attend NA Meetings?
• Is NA Enough or Do I Need Rehab?

How do I Find Narcotics Anonymous Meetings Near Me?

When you are ready to begin your journey to recovery, you can find your nearest NA meeting easily online. Since it’s recommended to attend NA meetings multiple times a week, if not every day to start, you should find one that’s conveniently located either to your home or work, to make it easier to get to.

NA meetings are held across the country and you can even find online NA meetings to attend if you cannot make it to an in-person meeting.

What is Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?

NA is a nonprofit organization that holds regular meetings for people who struggle with substance use and want to stay sober. It is for people of any gender, sex, sexual identity, religion, lack of religion, and race. Everyone who wants to attend an NA meeting is accepted as long as they have the desire to stay sober.

NA is a “no strings attached” organization, meaning you can come as you are, and there are no fees or promises to make in order to participate. There are no religious affiliations and you are welcome in NA no matter which drugs you used, how much you used, or who you used with.

Who Are NA Meetings For?

NA meetings are for anyone who has struggled with substance use or abuse. It’s common for people who use substances to be unsure if they have a problem, or if they are “addicted” to a substance. If you are unsure whether you fall into this category of being addicted to a drug, Narcotics Anonymous recommends asking yourself the following questions:

1. Do you ever use alone?

2. Have you ever substituted one drug for another, thinking that one particular drug was the problem?

3. Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?

4. Have you ever stolen drugs or stolen to obtain drugs?

5. Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?

6. Have you ever taken one drug to overcome the effects of another?

7. Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you using drugs? 

8. Have you ever used a drug without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?

9. Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your drug use?

10. Have you ever been arrested as a result of using drugs?

11. Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?

12. Do you put the purchase of drugs ahead of your financial responsibilities?

13. Have you ever tried to stop or control your using?

14. Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation center because of your using?

15. Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?

16. Does the thought of running out of drugs terrify you?

17. Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without drugs?

18. Do you ever question your own sanity?

19. Is your drug use making life at home unhappy?

20. Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without drugs?

21. Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your using?

22. Do you think a lot about drugs?

23. Have you had irrational or indefinable fears?

24. Has using affected your sexual relationships?

25. Have you ever taken drugs you didn’t prefer?

26. Have you ever used drugs because of emotional pain or stress?

27. Have you ever overdosed on any drugs?

28. Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?

29. Do you think you might have a drug problem?

(These questions are from Am I An Addict? from Narcotics Anonymous. NA uses the word “drug” for a substance and “addict” for a person who abuses substances.)

How many questions were you able to answer “Yes,” to and how did you feel when you answered, “Yes”? There is no number of questions that qualifies you as a person with a substance abuse problem. Instead, the true answer lies in how you feel about your substance use and its impact on your family, friends, career, health, and future.

Many people find themselves searching for Narcotics Anonymous because they have reached a low point at which the substance no longer fills an empty space and instead, it’s having a severe negative impact on their life, one way or another. Some find they no longer have a sense of self-worth, self-esteem, or pride. Relationships with family, friends, and loved ones may also have eroded. Sometimes it isn’t until there is nothing left that a person reaches out for the help of NA.

However, regardless of how much drug addiction has affected your life, whether a lot or a little, all those in need of NA are welcome to these meetings.

What Happens at an NA Meeting?

If you’ve been to group therapy or recovery classes before, Narcotics Anonymous meetings are a little different. They are ultimately there to create a safe space for those in recovery or those struggling with addiction to share their personal stories. All NA meetings are also anonymous, so you don’t talk about the members of the group outside of the group.

While NA isn’t affiliated with any one organization or religion, meetings might take place at a church or in a treatment center because these facilities are often more affordable and convenient. It doesn’t cost anything to attend a meeting, but donations are welcome to keep the Narcotics Anonymous meetings running.

Discussion vs Speaker Meetings

There are two types of NA meetings: discussion and speaker meetings. During discussion meetings, attendees take turns sharing stories about their own substance use and recovery.

Speaker meetings, on the other hand, are formatted more like an event where you sit and listen. The speaker stands before the group and shares a lengthy, personal account of their journey with substance abuse and recovery.

There aren’t specific meetings for specific types of substance use—anyone who uses any type of substance is welcome at any NA meeting.

Prayer

The NA meeting may be closed out with a short prayer which can take some newcomers by surprise since the group isn’t religious. This prayer is not meant to be religious, but a moment of spirituality to reflect and connect with your source of truth, called a “higher power” in NA.

How Often Should I Attend NA?

Narcotics Anonymous recommends attending meetings as often as possible. It’s recommended that you attend a meeting every day at the time you would otherwise be engaging in substance use.

Some people in NA have success with the strategy “90 meetings in 90 days” to help you get acquainted with others in the group and learn more about the program. It’s important to understand that meetings are a time to gather support for abstinence from substance abuse—the more often you attend, the more support you have, the more successful your road to recovery will be.

Is NA Enough or Do I Need Rehab?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to overcoming your substance addiction. You may have tried rehab already, or you may be starting with an NA meeting. Whatever the case, you need to try something that works for you.

Generally, it’s recommended that NA meetings be coupled with rehab, in order to increase your chances of a successful recovery.

Call 866-968-5444Who Answers? if you or a person you know is struggling with opiate abuse or addiction. Care is available and you are not alone.