Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global, community-based organization for recovering addicts. It operates as a support group for those struggling with drug addiction and is available in cities across the United States, including multiple locations in North Carolina. NA offers a free program with regular group meetings to provide support and a path toward recovery for its members. You can find more information about available drug meetings.
What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous is based on the principle of anonymity and provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and work through the challenges of addiction. Meetings in North Carolina, like elsewhere, are open to anyone who feels they have a problem with addiction. These meetings are conducted following the NA model, which emphasizes a 12-step program aimed at facilitating recovery.
Raleigh, NC
NA meetings in Raleigh are held at various locations, offering both in-person and online options. For instance:
– Time and Methods: Meetings such as the “Serenity In The Morning Group” occur at 8:00 AM, while the “New Beginning Group” holds online meetings. Locations include 124 South Salisbury Street and online platforms like Zoom for the New Beginning Group.
– Details: Meetings like the “Out To Lunch Group” provide a supportive environment for members during their lunch breaks, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support throughout the day.
Asheville, NC
Asheville hosts several NA meetings throughout the day. Here are some details:
– Time and Methods: Meetings are scheduled at various times to accommodate different schedules, such as morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.
– Details: The meetings in Asheville, like those across North Carolina, focus on fostering a supportive community where members can openly discuss their struggles and progress in recovery.
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem also offers multiple NA meetings designed to accommodate a wide range of schedules and needs.
– Time and Methods: Meetings occur at diverse times, ensuring that individuals can attend based on their personal routines and availability.
– Details: Similar to other locations, meetings in Winston-Salem emphasize the sharing of personal experiences and the application of NA principles to achieve long-term sobriety.
The 12 Steps of NA
NA’s recovery program is built around the 12 Steps, which are designed to help members work through their addiction and toward a life of sobriety. Here’s an overview of each step:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step involves recognizing the problem and acknowledging the need for help. It’s about realizing that addiction controls one’s life and that professional assistance is necessary.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages members to have faith in a higher power that can guide them toward recovery. It does not require adherence to a specific deity but emphasizes seeking guidance beyond personal abilities.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Here, members commit to allowing a higher power to guide their actions and decisions, leading to a path of recovery and personal growth.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This step involves introspection, where members carefully examine their past actions, identifying mistakes and areas for improvement.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Members openly share their inventory findings, which helps them confront past mistakes and take responsibility for them.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. At this stage, individuals express their readiness to move beyond their past flaws and work toward personal improvement.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members ask their higher power to help them overcome their defects, fostering humility and a willingness to grow.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. This step involves identifying those who have been hurt and preparing to make amends, which is crucial for healing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Here, members take action by making amends to those they have harmed, unless it would cause further harm.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members continue their self-assessment, promptly acknowledging when they have made mistakes.
- 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. This step enhances spiritual growth through prayer and meditation, focusing on understanding and fulfilling one’s life purpose.
- 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. Members who have experienced a spiritual awakening aim to carry the message of recovery to others and live by the principles they have learned.
Getting Started with NA in North Carolina, USA
To find NA meetings in North Carolina, you can use various methods such as online meeting finders, printable lists, or by contacting local helplines. Both in-person and virtual meetings are available, allowing individuals to choose the format that best suits their needs and circumstances.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting, it’s helpful to know the difference between open and closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in attending, including family members, friends, and individuals who are not necessarily struggling with addiction but want to understand more about NA. |
| Closed Meeting | Reserved for addicts only, providing a safe space for members to share their experiences without feeling exposed to outsiders. |
It’s recommended to arrive early, introduce yourself as a new member, and share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so. At many meetings, you will receive a welcome keychain tag after attending your first meeting. These tags often have milestones marked on them:
- 30 Days: Marking a month of continuous attendance and sobriety.
- 60 Days: Recognizing two months of ongoing participation and recovery.
- 1 Year: Celebrating a year of continuous sobriety and active participation in NA.
- Yearly Anniversary: Honoring each year of sobriety thereafter.
These milestones serve as motivational markers to help members stay committed to their recovery journey.