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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with drug addiction. It is a worldwide fellowship available in cities across the United States, providing a free program that offers regular group meetings for those seeking recovery and support.
In Louisiana, including St. Tammany Parish and the city of Mandeville, NA meetings are widely accessible to provide a welcoming and judgment-free space where members share their experiences and progress through a structured recovery process.
Address 1: St. Tammany Parish Library – Covington Branch
Location: 310 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70433
Meeting Times and Details: Meetings are held every Tuesday at 7:00 PM. This group follows the traditional NA format involving open sharing and Reading from NA literature, providing new members with a safe environment to speak about their experiences and listen to others.
The meetings here emphasize group unity and anonymity, encouraging members to practice honesty and openness in their recovery journey.
Address 2: Mandeville Fellowship Hall
Location: 3101 Covington Hwy, Mandeville, LA 70448
Meeting Times and Details: Meetings take place every Thursday at 6:30 PM. The sessions consist of guided discussions led by experienced members, focusing on the 12 Steps of NA as a framework for personal development and healing.
Newcomers are welcomed with a friendly atmosphere and are encouraged to participate at their comfort level, with an emphasis on confidentiality and mutual respect.
Address 3: Slidell Community Center
Location: 2025 2nd Street, Slidell, LA 70458
Meeting Times and Details: Meetings occur on Saturdays at 10:00 AM. This location offers a combination of speaker meetings and open discussion formats, allowing members to share testimonies and provide support for each other’s recovery challenges.
Meetings are designed to be inclusive for individuals at all stages of recovery, integrating mindfulness and peer encouragement techniques.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step marks the acceptance that addiction controls the individual’s life, initiating the path to recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It encourages hope and faith in external support or spiritual strength beyond individual capability.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves a commitment to trust and surrender to a higher power for guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members self-reflect to identify behaviors and motives that contribute to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing these findings helps break down denial and foster accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step involves willingness to change and remove the negative patterns discovered.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Participants seek help in overcoming their flaws through humility and prayer or meditation.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognizing the impact of addiction on others sets the stage for healing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility by restoring damaged relationships without causing further harm.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-monitoring and honesty ensure sustained recovery.
- 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 that out. This step sustains spiritual growth and strength through practice.
- 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 give back to the community by helping others and maintaining recovery principles in daily life.
Getting Started with NA in Louisiana, St. Tammany, Mandeville, USA
Individuals seeking local NA meetings can best find options by searching on Methadone.org, which offers up-to-date directories for meetings in Louisiana and the surrounding areas.
Most locations in Louisiana, including St. Tammany and Mandeville, provide both in-person and online/virtual meetings to accommodate members’ preferences and needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first Narcotics Anonymous meeting in Louisiana, it is helpful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings to choose the right environment for your comfort level.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Anyone interested in recovery, including family, friends, and observers, can attend. These meetings often focus on general discussions about addiction and recovery. |
| Closed Meetings | Attendance is limited to those who identify as addicts or have a desire to stop using. These meetings allow for confidential sharing and deeper personal discussions. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member to facilitators or group members.
- Share your experiences only if you feel comfortable and ready to do so.
- Receive a welcome keychain tag, symbolizing your commitment to recovery and membership in NA.
List of Tag Milestones
- 30 Days: Represents the first month of sobriety, symbolizing the beginning of a new life free from addiction.
- 60 Days: Marks continued dedication and progress, reinforcing motivation to stay clean.
- 1 Year: Celebrates a full year of recovery, highlighting significant achievement and commitment.
- Additional milestones include 18 months, 2 years, and subsequent yearly anniversaries, each representing sustained sobriety and growth.