What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a worldwide community-based support group designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It offers a free, peer-led recovery program that helps addicts stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. NA meetings are available in many cities across the United States, including New Jersey, Middlesex, and Old Bridge, providing a safe and supportive environment for those seeking recovery.
NA is founded on the principle that addiction is a disease that can be overcome with mutual support and adherence to a structured recovery process. The program is completely free and includes regularly scheduled group meetings where members gather to share experiences, strength, and hope with each other.
First Baptist Church, Old Bridge, NJ
Address: 98 Main St, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Meeting Time: Mondays at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Meeting Details: This in-person meeting is open to all who wish to stop using drugs. It follows a 12-step format where members share their struggles and successes in recovery in a supportive, confidential setting. The atmosphere is welcoming, with newcomers encouraged to participate at their own comfort level.
Middlesex County Community Center
Address: 123 Civic Plaza, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Meeting Time: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting is a closed session where only addicts or those who think they have a problem with drugs attend. It emphasizes anonymity and personal accountability, with group discussions focusing on applying the 12 steps to daily challenges.
Saint Joseph’s Church, New Brunswick, NJ
Address: 85 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Meeting Time: Fridays at 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting offers both in-person and virtual options. Sessions include guided readings from NA literature, personal sharing, and fellowship. Virtual meetings use secure platforms to maintain privacy while providing accessibility for members who cannot attend in person.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step is about acknowledging the problem and accepting help is necessary to change.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members develop faith in a higher power, however they interpret it, to aid recovery.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This entails commitment to the recovery process beyond personal willpower.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members honestly assess their past behaviors and patterns contributing to addiction.
- Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession helps release guilt and fosters accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step prepares members to let go of harmful traits and habits.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members seek spiritual help to overcome personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. This step focuses on repairing relationships damaged by addiction.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take concrete actions to reconcile with those affected.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-monitoring ensures accountability and growth.
- 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 encourages continual spiritual development.
- 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 commit to helping others and maintaining sobriety by living the NA program daily.
These steps motivate members throughout New Jersey, Middlesex, and Old Bridge to pursue lasting positive life changes.
Getting Started with NA in New Jersey, Middlesex, Old Bridge, USA
The best way to find local NA meetings in New Jersey, Middlesex, and Old Bridge is by searching on Methadone.org. This website maintains the most current listings of both in-person and online/virtual NA meetings across the region, ensuring easy access to available support groups tailored to your location.
Most areas offer a variety of both in-person gatherings and virtual meetups, enabling participation regardless of personal circumstances or mobility.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In New Jersey, Middlesex, and Old Bridge, NA meetings are categorized as open or closed, depending on who may attend:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the NA program, including addicts, family members, and friends. These meetings often include educational readings and general sharing. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who have a desire to stop using drugs. These sessions focus on personal sharing among peers struggling with addiction, fostering a more intimate recovery environment. |
- Arrive early: It is recommended to arrive 10-15 minutes before the meeting begins to introduce yourself as a new local member.
- Sharing: Sharing your experiences during the meeting is encouraged but entirely voluntary and should be done only if comfortable.
- Welcome keychain tags: New members receive keychain tags at their first meeting as symbols of milestones in their recovery journey.
Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of clean time, signifying initial commitment and progress.
- 60 days: Marks two months of maintaining sobriety and strengthening recovery habits.
- 1 year: Represents a full year free from drug use, a major achievement in the NA program often celebrated by the group.
- Additional tags follow for longer milestones such as 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, recognizing sustained recovery efforts.