Filtered by:
What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It offers a fellowship of recovering drug addicts who have come together to solve their common problem of addiction through mutual support and a shared program of recovery.
NA is a free program with regular group meetings held throughout cities in the United States, including in Maine, Cumberland, and Scarborough. These meetings provide a safe and confidential environment where members can share their experiences and support each other in their journey of recovery.
Meeting Locations and Details
Maine Area of Narcotics Anonymous – Portland, ME
Address: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 143 State Street, Portland, ME 04101
Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM
Meeting Details: Meetings at this location are conducted in-person and follow a traditional NA format including Reading NA literature, sharing personal stories, and group discussions. Each meeting typically opens with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer and the Reading of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. The meetings emphasize confidentiality, respect, and non-judgmental listening.
Cumberland NA Group – Cumberland, ME
Address: Cumberland Community Center, 29 Foreside Road, Cumberland, ME 04110
Meeting Times: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting combines group sharing and step study formats, encouraging members to work through the Twelve Steps in a structured manner. Virtual meeting options are also available for members who cannot attend in person, offering accessibility for those with mobility or transportation challenges.
Scarborough NA Group – Scarborough, ME
Address: Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
Meeting Times: Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Meeting Details: This location offers open meetings where newcomers and members alike are welcome. Meetings are informal with a focus on peer support, sharing of personal recovery stories, and discussions on dealing with challenges in sobriety. Facilitators ensure a welcoming environment with a focus on anonymity and mutual aid.
The 12 Steps of NA
- Admitted powerlessness over addiction. This step requires acknowledging that one’s life has become unmanageable due to drug use, which is the first step toward recovery.
- Believed in a power greater than ourselves. Members come to believe that a higher power can restore sanity and help overcome addiction.
- Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to this higher power. This involves trusting and surrendering control to the higher power’s guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their behaviors and character defects honestly to understand the roots of their addiction.
- Admitted to the higher power, ourselves, and another person the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing these findings helps reduce shame and increases accountability.
- Were ready to have the higher power remove our defects of character. This step is about being willing to change and letting go of negative traits.
- Humbly asked the higher power to remove our shortcomings. Members pray or meditate for assistance in overcoming character flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends. This helps restore damaged relationships and personal integrity.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible. It involves apologizing and repairing relationships, except where it would cause harm.
- Continued to take personal inventory and promptly admitted when we were wrong. This encourages ongoing self-awareness and correction of mistakes.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with the higher power. Members aim to strengthen their spiritual connection for guidance.
- Having had a spiritual awakening, we carry the message to other addicts. Members help others by sharing their recovery experience and practicing these principles in daily life.
Getting Started with NA in Maine, Cumberland, Scarborough, USA
For anyone seeking to begin recovery, the best way to find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings is by visiting Methadone.org. This site offers an up-to-date directory of both in-person and online meetings available in Maine, Cumberland, Scarborough, and other areas.
Most locations provide both options, allowing members to choose meetings that best fit their schedule and comfort level, especially important for those who are home-bound or prefer virtual participation.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first meeting in Maine, Cumberland, or Scarborough, there are two primary types of meetings to be aware of: open and closed meetings.
Meeting Type | Description |
---|---|
Open Meetings | Open meetings welcome anyone interested in addiction recovery, including addicts, family members, and friends. These meetings are designed to provide education and support to a wider audience. |
Closed Meetings | Closed meetings are limited to individuals who identify themselves as addicts or those who have a desire to stop using drugs. This creates a confidential space for members to share openly without fear of judgment. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member and become familiar with the group.
- If comfortable, share your experiences during the meeting to connect with others and start your recovery journey.
- Receive welcome keychain tags as a symbol of your commitment to recovery and milestones achieved.
List of Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous abstinence, symbolizing initial commitment and progress.
- 60 days: Marks two months of sustained recovery, reinforcing the importance of perseverance.
- 1 year: Acknowledges a full year of sobriety, representing a significant achievement and personal transformation.
- Additional tags may represent longer milestones such as 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, encouraging ongoing dedication.