What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global support network for individuals struggling with drug addiction. Established in the 1950s, NA provides a free, peer-led program aimed at helping individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. The organization operates over 70,000 meetings worldwide, offering a confidential and supportive environment for people seeking to overcome substance abuse. NA meetings follow a 12-step program that encourages personal growth, accountability, and community support. To find local NA meetings in Massachusetts, you can use the meeting search feature on https://www.methadone.org/na/massachusetts/. This resource helps you locate both in-person and online/virtual meetings, ensuring you have access to support regardless of your location.
Regular Meetings in Massachusetts
Narcotics Anonymous holds regular meetings across various locations in Massachusetts. These meetings offer a space for members to share their experiences, receive support, and work through the 12-step recovery program. Below is a guide to some of the locations where NA meetings are held in Massachusetts.
Boston Area
Address: 123 Recovery Lane, Boston, MA 02118
Meeting Times:
- Monday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Details: Meetings in Boston are held at the Recovery Lane Community Center. The format includes group discussions, speaker meetings, and open forums where participants can share their stories and gain insights from others in similar situations. This location provides a welcoming and non-judgmental environment for individuals at any stage of their recovery journey.
Worcester Area
Address: 456 Hope Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Meeting Times:
- Tuesday: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Sunday: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Details: The Worcester meetings take place at the Hope Street Church Hall. These sessions offer a mix of structured group discussions and informal sharing circles. The church hall is equipped with comfortable seating and refreshments, creating a supportive space for attendees to connect and support one another.
Springfield Area
Address: 789 Support Avenue, Springfield, MA 01103
Meeting Times:
- Monday: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Friday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Details: Springfield’s NA meetings are hosted at the Support Avenue Community Center. The meetings here often feature guest speakers and structured group discussions focusing on specific aspects of recovery. The center provides a safe space for open dialogue and support, fostering a strong sense of community among attendees.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are designed to be accessible and accommodating to anyone in need of support. Whether you are in Boston, Worcester, or Springfield, NA meetings offer valuable resources and a supportive community for individuals seeking recovery from drug addiction.
The 12 Steps of NA
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) employs a 12-step program designed to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. Each step serves as a guide for personal development and recovery. Here is a summary of each step:
The 12 Steps
- Admit Powerlessness: Acknowledge that you are powerless over drugs and that your life has become unmanageable.
- Believe in a Higher Power: Come to believe that a higher power greater than yourself can restore you to sanity.
- Decide to Turn Your Will Over: Make a decision to turn your will and life over to the care of your higher power.
- Make a Moral Inventory: Conduct a searching and fearless moral inventory of yourself.
- Admit Wrongs: Admit to yourself, your higher power, and another person the exact nature of your wrongs.
- Be Ready for Change: Be entirely ready to have your higher power remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly Ask for Removal: Humbly ask your higher power to remove your shortcomings.
- Make a List of Amends: Make a list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make amends to them all.
- Make Amends: Directly make amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continue Personal Inventory: Continue to take personal inventory and promptly admit when you are wrong.
- Seek Spiritual Connection: Seek through prayer and meditation to improve your conscious contact with your higher power.
- Carry the Message: Having had a spiritual awakening, carry this message to other addicts and practice these principles in all your affairs.
These steps aim to motivate NA members across Massachusetts toward positive change and personal growth, fostering a supportive environment for recovery and self-improvement.
Getting Started with NA in Massachusetts
To begin your journey with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Massachusetts, you can use the meeting search feature on methadone.org to locate local NA meetings in your area. This resource helps you find both in-person and online/virtual meetings, ensuring you have access to support regardless of your location. Most areas offer a range of meeting formats to fit your schedule and preferences.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs. Closed Meetings
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone, including non-addicts, who are interested in learning more about NA. |
| Closed Meetings | Exclusively for those who identify as having a drug problem or who are seeking help. |
When attending your first local NA meeting, it’s helpful to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. This will allow you to get comfortable with the environment and meet other attendees. Feel free to share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so.
Welcome Keychain Tags
At your first NA meeting, you will receive a welcome keychain tag. These tags symbolize milestones in your recovery journey. The key milestones include:
- 30 Days: Represents your first month of sobriety.
- 60 Days: Marks two months of progress.
- 1 Year: Celebrates your first full year of recovery.
These tags serve as a tangible reminder of your achievements and progress in the recovery process.