What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a community-based support group for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It operates worldwide with a central message that any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. NA meetings are free and open to everyone seeking recovery, providing a safe environment for sharing experiences and encouragement.
In New Jersey, including cities such as Passaic and Paterson, NA offers regular group meetings designed to support recovery through fellowship and the 12-step program. These meetings provide guidance, mutual support, and structured help to those committed to sobriety.
Address 1: Passaic Area Community Center
Location: 200 Passaic St, Passaic, NJ 07055
Meetings Time: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 6:00 PM
- In-person open meetings: These gatherings welcome both newcomers and regular members, providing a platform to share personal stories and recovery challenges openly. The group emphasizes confidentiality and mutual respect, encouraging participation from all attendees.
- Virtual meetings option: For those unable to attend physically, there is an online meeting via Zoom concurrent with the in-person session, allowing remote members to engage and receive support from their community.
Address 2: Paterson Recovery Hall
Location: 350 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07505
Meetings Time: Mondays at 8:00 PM and Fridays at 7:30 PM
- Closed step meetings: These are focused sessions limited to those who identify as addicts, which follow the 12-step structure to support members in working through recovery systematically. The closed format fosters an intimate environment for deep discussion and step work progress.
- Speaker meetings: On Fridays, recovering members share their experiences and strength in a structured format intended to inspire and educate those newer to the program.
Address 3: New Jersey Healing Center, Passaic County
Location: 115 Broadway, Passaic, NJ 07055
Meetings Time: Saturdays at 10:00 AM and Thursdays at 7:00 PM
- Discussion meetings: These sessions encourage open dialogue about challenges and coping mechanisms relevant to recovery, allowing members to exchange ideas on maintaining sobriety in daily life.
- Literature study meetings: Focused on readings from NA-approved literature, these meetings aim to deepen members’ understanding of the principles behind the program and offer practical recovery tools.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Acceptance of addiction’s impact is the foundation for recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Encourages faith in a higher power to help regain control.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Commitment to trust and follow this higher power.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Self-examination helps to identify behaviors and patterns leading to addiction.
- Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession and honesty foster accountability and healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness to change negative traits that contribute to addiction.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Seeking spiritual and personal growth.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Taking responsibility for past harms to others.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Practical steps toward reconciliation and repair of relationships.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-awareness and accountability.
- 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. Developing spiritual connection and guidance.
- 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. Commitment to helping others and living by the program’s principles.
These steps aim to motivate NA members toward positive change and sustained recovery in New Jersey, including Passaic and Paterson communities.
Getting Started with NA in New Jersey, Passaic, Paterson, USA
Individuals seeking to begin their journey with Narcotics Anonymous in New Jersey, Passaic, or Paterson can find the most reliable and up-to-date meeting information at Methadone.org. This site is the best resource for locating both in-person and online NA meetings in their area.
Most NA locations in these cities offer both in-person and virtual/online meetings to accommodate different needs and preferences during recovery.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in New Jersey, Passaic, and Paterson are typically categorized as either open or closed. Understanding the difference can help newcomers choose the right environment for their comfort and recovery stage.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the NA program, including addicts, family, and friends. These meetings provide a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers to observe and share if they choose. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify as addicts or those with a desire to stop using drugs. These meetings focus on confidentiality and peer support among recovering addicts. |
- It is advised to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member to the group facilitator or trusted members.
- Sharing your personal experiences is encouraged but optional; newcomers can participate at their comfort level.
- At your first meeting, you will likely receive a welcome keychain tag symbolizing your commitment to recovery.
List of Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous sobriety, marking initial dedication.
- 60 days: Recognizes sustained effort in maintaining recovery beyond the early stages.
- 90 days (3 months): Acknowledges continued growth and resilience in the program.
- 6 months: Represents a significant milestone of stable recovery development.
- 1 year: Marks one year of sobriety, a major achievement encouraging long-term commitment.
- Multiple years: Celebrates ongoing sobriety and contribution to the NA community.