What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, is a worldwide support group of individuals committed to assisting others who are struggling with addictions to drugs. It is an environment where addicts share experience, strength, and hope with each other, safely and anonymously, without any feelings of condemnation. NA applies the 12-step system, and their service is free and supportive, offering the opportunity for recovery for substance abusers toward healthiness. The program can be found in major towns and cities across the nation, including California, as members attend regular group gatherings to receive guidance and build links with others on the pathway to recovery. To find Narcotics Anonymous meetings in California, you can visit https://www.methadone.org/clinics/california/.
Narcotics Anonymous California
NA meetings are conducted regularly across cities in California, giving the opportunity to people to come together with others who understand their pain. The meetings are open for all those who have been affected by drug addiction, whether in recovery or active addiction. These meetings are free to attend, and people can choose times and methods that suit them best.
Meeting Places in California
Los Angeles Area
- Address: 123 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00 PM
- Methods/Details: Discussion meetings where members share their experiences and support one another. Participants are encouraged to speak openly about their struggles with addiction. The meetings are open to everyone, with a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere.
San Francisco Area
- Address: 456 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
- Meeting Times: Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 PM
- Methods/Details: Step study meetings focus on working the 12-step program. The group reflects on one step at a time, sharing thoughts and experiences. This format fosters greater introspection and devotion to recovery.
San Diego Area
- Address: 789 Ocean Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101
- Meeting Times: Sunday at 6:00 PM
- Methods/Details: Speaker meetings in which recovering addicts share their stories of overcoming their addiction. This is an inspirational format designed to motivate and encourage attendees who may be at different junctures in their recovery process.
The History of Narcotics Anonymous
Formed in the 1950s, Narcotics Anonymous has grown into a worldwide organization with more than 70,000 meetings held globally. NA was founded on the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous: to help people kick their addictions through a 12-step program and a supportive community. The principles of the organization foster personal accountability, self-discovery, and the strength to heal through sharing and mutual support. In California, NA remains an invaluable resource for people in need, with hundreds of meetings offered each week across the state.
Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps
Narcotics Anonymous is based on the 12-step program in order to lead the members to a recovered life from their addiction. Each step gives one a chance for personal growth, accountability, and healing in a way that will inspire change in members. Here are the 12 steps, with a brief description of each:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitted the loss of control over the addiction was the first step to recovery. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
One accepts the necessity for spiritual guidance and believes in a higher power to see them through. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Surrender to a Higher Power and commit to recovery are the core of healing. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Self-reflection and honest evaluation of one’s actions, emotions, and behaviors. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Acknowledging past mistakes helps members take responsibility for their actions. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Willingness to let go of harmful traits and behaviors that hinder personal growth. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Seeking spiritual assistance in overcoming weaknesses and imperfections. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Identifying and preparing to make amends to those affected by past behaviors. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Taking action to repair relationships and undo the harm caused by addiction. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-evaluation and accountability for their actions and behavior. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Spiritual practices, which have strengthened the 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.
The sharing of the message of recovery with others and putting those principles into practice.
Getting Started: NA in California
Finding Local Meetings
To start your recovery process with Narcotics Anonymous in California, you can find local meetings near you using the meeting search tool on methadone.org. You can search for in-person and virtual meetings in your area, making access to support easier for all individuals, regardless of location.
In-Person Meetings
Available in a few different cities throughout California, members will find the chance for direct communication with other individuals that belong to this recovery community.
Online/Virtual Meetings
Those who cannot attend the on-site meetings for various reasons or would feel more comfortable joining from a distance can take advantage of these virtual gatherings.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in California, it’s essential to know the difference between an open and closed meeting.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open meetings | Open to all individuals, including non-members and those interested in learning about NA. |
| Closed meetings | Limited to individuals who describe themselves as addicted to drugs and would like to stop. |
What to Expect at Your First Meeting
- Arrive early: It is always good to arrive a few minutes in advance so that you can get settled and ready.
- Introduce yourself: Upon arrival, let others know that you are a new member so that they may offer support.
- Share your experience: You may share your story with the group members if you feel comfortable, although sharing is always optional.
- Welcome keychain tags: In your first meeting, you get welcomed with a keychain tag as a symbol of recovery commitment.
Keychain Tag Milestones
NA has milestone keychains in recovery for the following important achievements. These include:
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 1 year
- Further milestones as you walk through the recovery journey.