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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with drug addiction. It operates as a free program with regular group meetings held in cities across the United States, providing a safe and confidential environment for those seeking recovery.
In Illinois, including the McHenry and Cary areas, NA meetings are readily available for anyone looking to find support and share experiences on their path to sobriety. These meetings follow structured formats and include a variety of meeting types designed to meet the needs of both newcomers and long-term members.
Address 1: McHenry Alano Club
Location: 6405 Alden Road, McHenry, Illinois 60050
Meeting Times: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:00 PM
- Open Discussion: This meeting welcomes all participants, including newcomers and visitors. Members share their experiences and support others in a conversational format focusing on recovery.
- Step Study: Held on Wednesdays, this meeting dives deep into the 12 Steps of NA, encouraging members to reflect on and apply each step in their daily lives.
Address 2: Cary Community Center
Location: 255 Briargate Road, Cary, Illinois 60013
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM
- Speaker Meeting: This meeting features members sharing their personal recovery stories to inspire and motivate attendees. It helps new members relate to others’ journeys.
- Literature Study: On Thursdays, the group reviews NA-approved literature, fostering discussion about recovery principles and the philosophy of Narcotics Anonymous.
Address 3: Illinois Lutheran Church, McHenry
Location: 1700 Richmond Road, McHenry, Illinois 60051
Meeting Times: Saturdays at 10:00 AM
- Candlelight Meeting: A more reflective meeting held in the evening where members share thoughts and experiences in a quiet and supportive setting to promote healing and connection.
- Newcomer Meeting: Specifically designed for those attending their first meetings, providing a non-judgmental space to learn about NA and start building connections.
The 12 Steps of NA
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We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
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Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
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Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
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Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
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Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
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Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
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Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
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Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
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Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
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Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
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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 and the power to carry it out.
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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.
These steps guide members toward positive personal change and recovery throughout Illinois, McHenry, and Cary, fostering hope and commitment for a drug-free life.
Getting Started with NA in Illinois, McHenry, Cary, USA
The most reliable way to find local NA meetings is by searching on Methadone.org. This site offers up-to-date information on meeting locations, times, and formats for the Illinois, McHenry, and Cary areas.
Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places, allowing individuals to find support in the way that best suits their needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In Illinois, McHenry, and Cary, NA meetings are generally divided into open and closed types.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Available to anyone interested in recovery, including friends, family, and newcomers. These meetings encourage open sharing and education about addiction and recovery. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to those who identify as having a drug addiction problem or who think they may have one. This provides a confidential setting focusing on mutual support among addicted individuals. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member and get acquainted with the group.
- If comfortable, share your experiences and listen to others to build trust and connection.
- At your first meeting, you may receive welcome keychain tags symbolizing your commitment and milestones in recovery.
List of Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous recovery, marking the initial commitment to sobriety.
- 60 days: Recognizes two months of maintaining focus and practicing recovery principles.
- 1 year: A significant milestone reflecting sustained sobriety and personal growth.
- Additional tags may be awarded for longer periods of sobriety, honoring ongoing dedication and perseverance.