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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group specifically designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It operates as a free program offering regular group meetings where members can share experiences, find encouragement, and work together towards recovery. NA meetings are widely available in cities across the United States, including numerous locations in California, San Mateo, and San Bruno, providing accessible support to those in need.
Address: San Mateo
Location: 355 Third Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
Meeting Time: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Meeting Details: This is an open discussion meeting where participants share their personal stories and recovery struggles in a supportive environment. It emphasizes confidentiality and peer support, ensuring newcomers feel welcome and understood.
Address: San Bruno
Location: St. Robert’s Church, 1035 Oak Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066
Meeting Time: Mondays and Fridays at 6:30 PM
Meeting Details: These are speaker meetings featuring members who share their journeys through addiction and recovery, offering inspiration and hope. The format encourages questions and group discussion following the speaker’s presentation.
Address: California (Fremont)
Location: Fremont Friendship Center, 3375 Country Drive, Fremont, CA 94555
Meeting Time: Tuesdays at 8:00 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting operates as a closed meeting, reserved for those who identify as addicts or who want to recover from addiction. The group follows the traditional 12-step format and emphasizes commitment to abstinence.
The 12 Steps of NA
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We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction — that our lives had become unmanageable. This step involves acknowledging the inability to control addiction and the resulting chaos in life.
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Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Here, members open themselves to the possibility of spiritual help to overcome addiction.
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Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step reflects commitment to seek guidance beyond oneself.
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Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members honestly assess their behaviors and past actions to identify problems.
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Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confessing faults builds accountability and honesty.
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Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members show readiness to change by letting go of negative traits.
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Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves seeking help to overcome flaws.
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Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Members take responsibility for the impact of their addiction on others.
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Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step focuses on repairing relationships while being mindful of consequences.
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Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members maintain ongoing self-reflection and accountability.
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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 encourages spiritual growth as a foundation for recovery.
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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 share their experience to help others and maintain their own sobriety.
Getting Started with NA in California, San Mateo, San Bruno, USA
Individuals seeking to begin their recovery journey with NA in California, San Mateo, or San Bruno can search for local meetings using Methadone.org. This website is the best resource for finding accurate and current meeting schedules in both in-person and online/virtual formats, which are available in most locations throughout these areas.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in California, San Mateo, and San Bruno come in two main types: open and closed. Understanding the distinction between these can help first-time attendees feel more comfortable and prepared.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the NA program, including family, friends, and newcomers; participants can observe or share. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who identify as addicts or those who desire to stop using; focuses on mutual support and recovery among members. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member to meet facilitators and feel welcomed.
- Share your experiences during the meeting if and when you feel comfortable; sharing is voluntary.
- Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting to celebrate your commitment to recovery.
Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 days: Marks the first month of continuous sobriety, symbolizing initial commitment and progress.
- 60 days: Celebrates two months of sustained recovery effort and growing strength.
- 1 year: A significant milestone representing a full year free from addiction, a foundation for long-term sobriety.
- Additional milestones exist, often including 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, to encourage ongoing dedication.