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Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global community-based organization that provides support for individuals struggling with drug addiction. NA meetings are available in various cities across the United States, including Michigan, Oakland, and Birmingham. These meetings offer a free program with regular group sessions where members share their experiences and support one another in their journey toward recovery.
What is NA?
NA is a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. The program is based on a set of principles spelled out in the Twelve Steps, which are designed to help members achieve and maintain sobriety. NA meetings are conducted in a supportive environment where members can share their struggles and successes without fear of judgment.
Address: Eastpointe, Michigan
Meetings are held at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, located at 23801 Kelly, Eastpointe, MI 48021. The meetings take place every Sunday from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. This meeting is open (O) and wheelchair accessible (WC), with the theme “No Matter What.” Participants are encouraged to park in the back of the church for easy access.
Address: Flint, Michigan
Meetings in Flint are available at the Unity Center, located at 5901 North Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48505. There are multiple meetings throughout the week, including Tuesday and Wednesday sessions. The “Gratitude Not Attitude Group” meets on Tuesdays at 10:00 am and Wednesdays at 2:30 pm, while the “Life on Life Terms Group” meets on Thursdays at 10:00 am.
Address: Lansing, Michigan
Although specific meeting details for Lansing are not provided, NA meetings are generally available in major cities across Michigan. These meetings offer a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences and work towards recovery. For exact meeting times and locations, it is recommended to check local resources or the NA website.
The 12 Steps of NA
The Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous are a set of guiding principles designed to help members achieve and maintain sobriety. Each step is aimed at motivating members toward positive change and personal growth.
- Step 1: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step involves acknowledging the power of addiction and the need for help. It is a crucial step in recognizing the problem and seeking support.
- Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages members to have faith in a higher power or a spiritual force that can help them recover. It is about finding hope beyond personal control.
- Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. In this step, members commit to surrendering their will to a higher power and allowing it to guide their actions. This step is about letting go and trusting in a greater force.
- Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This step involves a thorough examination of one’s past actions and behaviors to understand their impact on life. It is a process of self-reflection and awareness.
- Step 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Here, members share their inventory with someone they trust, which helps to build accountability and release guilt.
- Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step is about being willing to let go of negative patterns and behaviors that hinder recovery. It involves a readiness to change and improve.
- Step 7: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members humbly ask their higher power to help them overcome their flaws and weaknesses. This step is a practice of humility and reliance on a greater power.
- Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. This step involves identifying those who have been hurt by one’s actions and becoming willing to make amends. It is about taking responsibility and healing relationships.
- Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take action to repair harm done to others, provided it does not cause further harm. This step is about healing and reconciliation.
- Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This ongoing process involves regular self-examination and immediate acknowledgment of mistakes. It helps maintain accountability and personal growth.
- Step 11: 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. Members seek a deeper connection with their higher power through prayer and meditation. This step is about guidance and action.
- Step 12: 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. After completing the steps, members strive to share their experiences with others and live by the principles they’ve learned. This step is about service and personal transformation.
Getting Started with NA in Michigan, Oakland, Birmingham, USA
Individuals interested in attending NA meetings can search for local meetings using specialized resources. However, a recommended approach is to visit the Methadone.org website, which provides comprehensive information on finding local NA meetings in your area.
Both in-person and virtual meetings are available in most places, offering flexibility for those who may face challenges in attending face-to-face meetings.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting, it’s important to understand the types of meetings available:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Available to anyone interested in attending, including non-addicts. These meetings are often ideal for newcomers or those who want to observe before committing. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to addicts only. These meetings are more intimate and allow members to share personal experiences without fear of being judged by outsiders. |
Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new member and feel free to share your experiences if you’re comfortable doing so. At your first meeting, you might receive a welcome keychain tag, which is a symbol of your commitment to recovery.
Keychain tags are milestones in the recovery journey, marking significant periods of sobriety:
- 30 Days: This milestone represents a month of sobriety and is often celebrated with a 30-day chip.
- 60 Days: Two months of sobriety, marked by a 60-day chip.
- 1 Year: A significant milestone marking one year of sobriety, typically celebrated with a one-year chip.
- Multiple Years: Chips are also awarded for longer periods of sobriety, such as five, ten, or twenty years.
These small tokens serve as reminders of progress and motivation to continue on the path of recovery.