What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Addiction is a complex and challenging issue that affects millions of lives worldwide. For those struggling with drug addiction, finding support and a path to recovery can be a crucial step towards reclaiming their lives. This is where Narcotics Anonymous (NA) plays a vital role. https://www.methadone.org/na/massachusetts/ provides valuable resources for those seeking NA support in Massachusetts.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Founded on the principles of mutual support and understanding, NA provides a compassionate environment for individuals seeking recovery from drug addiction. It offers:
- Support groups for those struggling with drug addiction
- A community-based approach to recovery
- Available in cities across the United States and globally
- Free program with regular group meetings held in Massachusetts
- Founded in the 1950s as an offshoot of Alcoholics Anonymous
- Now over 70,000 meetings held weekly in 144 countries
NA operates on a 12-step program that emphasizes personal growth, accountability, and helping others. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs, making it accessible to anyone regardless of the specific substances they’ve used or their personal background.
Meeting Locations and Times
Community Center
123 Main Street, Boston, MA 02108
- Meetings every Monday and Wednesday at 7:00 PM
- In-person meetings with social distancing measures in place
- Newcomers welcome, no registration required
Hope Church
456 Oak Avenue, Springfield, MA 01103
- Meetings every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 PM
- Hybrid format: in-person and virtual attendance options available
- Spanish language meeting available on Thursdays
Recovery House
789 Pine Lane, Worcester, MA 01608
- Daily meetings at 8:00 PM
- Specialized meetings for young adults (18-25) on Saturdays at 2:00 PM
- Literature study meeting on Sundays at 10:00 AM
The Recovery Process in Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous provides a recovery process and support network inextricably linked together. One of the keys to NA’s success is the therapeutic value of addicts working with other addicts. Members share their successes and challenges in overcoming active addiction and living drug-free productive lives through the application of the principles contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. These principles are the core of the Narcotics Anonymous recovery program.
Narcotics Anonymous itself is a non-religious program of recovery; each member is encouraged to cultivate an individual understanding—religious or not—of the spiritual principles and apply these principles to everyday life.
The 12 Steps of NA
The Steps
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
- We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- We 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.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Purpose
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous serve as a structured pathway to recovery for individuals struggling with addiction. These steps aim to motivate members toward positive change across Massachusetts and beyond. By following this program, individuals are encouraged to:
- Acknowledge their addiction and its impact on their lives
- Seek support from a higher power and the NA community
- Engage in self-reflection and personal growth
- Make amends for past mistakes
- Develop a spiritual practice that supports ongoing recovery
- Help others who are struggling with addiction
The 12 Steps provide a framework for personal transformation and healing, guiding members through a process of self-discovery, accountability, and service to others. This approach has helped countless individuals in Massachusetts find hope, strength, and a new way of life free from the constraints of addiction.
Getting Started with NA in Massachusetts
- Use meeting search on methadone.org to find local meetings in your area
- Both in-person and online/virtual meetings available in most places
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs Closed Meetings in Massachusetts
| Meeting Type | Description | Who Can Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meetings | General meetings open to the public | Anyone interested in NA, including addicts, family members, and observers |
| Closed Meetings | Meetings specifically for addicts | Only those who identify as addicts or think they might have a drug problem |
What to Expect
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member
- Share your experiences if comfortable (not mandatory)
- Receive welcome keychain tags at first meeting
Keychain Tag Milestones
- Welcome (white)
- 30 days (orange)
- 60 days (green)
- 90 days (red)
- 6 months (blue)
- 9 months (yellow)
- 1 year (moonglow)
- 18 months (gray)
- Multiple years (black/gold)
When starting your journey with Narcotics Anonymous in Massachusetts, the first step is to find a meeting near you. The methadone.org website offers a comprehensive meeting search function to locate gatherings in your area. Massachusetts provides both in-person and online/virtual meeting options in most locations, ensuring accessibility for all individuals seeking support.
As you prepare to attend your first local NA meeting, it’s important to understand the difference between open and closed meetings. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in NA, including family members and observers, while closed meetings are specifically for those who identify as addicts or think they might have a drug problem.
For your first meeting, it’s recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the setting and potentially connect with other members before the meeting begins. Sharing your experiences during the meeting is encouraged but not mandatory; you can choose to listen if that’s more comfortable for you.
NA recognizes the importance of celebrating milestones in recovery. At your first meeting, you’ll receive a welcome keychain tag. As you progress in your recovery journey, you’ll have the opportunity to earn additional tags marking various clean time milestones, from 30 days to multiple years of sobriety.