What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group dedicated to individuals struggling with drug addiction. It operates as an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts, offering a free program aimed at helping members stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. NA provides regular group meetings available in cities across the United States, including New Jersey, Middlesex, and Plainsboro, USA.
These meetings offer a safe and supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences, challenges, and successes in overcoming addiction. The program emphasizes a fellowship of mutual support without professional intervention, focusing on personal recovery through shared experiences and the NA Twelve Steps framework.
Address 1: Middlesex County NA Meeting
Location: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 North Avenue, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Meeting times: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Meetings at this location are held in a quiet, comfortable church Hall. The format is a speaker meeting where a member shares their personal recovery story, followed by open discussion where attendees can share if they wish. The supportive atmosphere encourages openness while respecting confidentiality.
Regular attendance at these meetings strengthens community bonds and provides practical tools for recovery through fellowship and shared accountability.
Address 2: Plainsboro NA Group
Location: Plainsboro Community Center, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Meeting times: Mondays and Fridays, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
This site hosts both open and closed meetings. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about addiction recovery, while closed meetings are reserved strictly for those who identify as addicts seeking recovery. The meeting features Reading of NA literature followed by group sharing, providing structure and a chance to connect deeply with others.
The Plainsboro meetings also integrate meditation and silent reflection sessions to help members center themselves emotionally during the gathering.
Address 3: New Brunswick NA Session
Location: New Brunswick Recovery Center, 123 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Meeting times: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
This meeting is held in a clinical setting supporting both newcomers and long-term members. The sessions focus on step study meetings where a particular step of the Twelve Steps is discussed in-depth each week, offering educational and motivational insights. Members share personal stories related to the step to help reinforce recovery strategies and commitment.
The New Brunswick sessions emphasize respect, confidentiality, and encouragement, fostering a non-judgmental environment.
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 the inability to control it alone, a foundation of recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages faith in a higher power or collective support beyond oneself.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members commit to entrusting their recovery journey to a higher power or the fellowship.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This involves honest self-examination to identify personal defects and behaviors contributing to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing these findings is essential for releasing shame and gaining perspective.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare mentally and spiritually to let go of negative traits.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves active humility and willingness to change.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. This prepares members for reconciliation and healing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility through amends helps restore trust and integrity.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This step promotes ongoing self-awareness and accountability.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Regular spiritual practice or personal reflection strengthens recovery.
- 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. Finally, members give back by supporting others and living the NA principles daily.
The 12 Steps aim to motivate and guide members toward positive change and sustained recovery across New Jersey, Middlesex, and Plainsboro.
Getting Started with NA in New Jersey, Middlesex, Plainsboro, USA
To find local NA meetings in your area, the recommended resource is Methadone.org, which offers an up-to-date searchable database of NA meetings throughout New Jersey and beyond. This platform helps newcomers and existing members locate the most convenient meetings and verify times and locations.
Most NA groups in the region offer both in-person and online/virtual meetings, providing flexible options to fit personal comfort and accessibility needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In New Jersey, Middlesex, Plainsboro, NA meetings are categorized as either open or closed. It is useful to understand these differences before attending:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested, including addicts, family members, or those curious about NA. These meetings allow for broader community education and support. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted exclusively to individuals who identify themselves as addicts seeking recovery. This environment allows for greater confidentiality and peer support among recovering addicts. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself to the group as a new member from the local area.
- You may share your experiences if you feel comfortable, but participation is voluntary.
- At your first meeting, you will typically receive a welcome keychain tag, symbolizing your commitment to recovery.
List of Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous abstinence and commitment to the program.
- 60 days: Marks two months of dedication, encouraging members to keep building strength and support networks.
- 1 year: Symbolizes a significant milestone of sustained recovery, reflecting major personal achievement and resilience.
- Additional milestones: Tags are also given for 18 months, 2 years, and incremental yearly anniversaries to recognize ongoing commitment.