What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem of drug addiction and help others recover from addiction. NA is available across many cities in the United States, including key locations such as New York, Erie, and East Amherst.
The program is free and open to anyone who has the desire to stop using drugs. It consists of regular group meetings where members support one another in their recovery journey through a structured 12-step approach.
New York City Meeting Location
Address: 701 Seneca Street, Suite 203, Buffalo, NY 14207
Meeting Times & Details:
- Evening Open Meeting, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM: This meeting welcomes both new and experienced members. It focuses on sharing personal stories and strategies for maintaining recovery in a safe and supportive environment.
- Women’s Closed Meeting, Fridays at 6:30 PM: Exclusively for women recovering from addiction, this closed meeting provides confidentiality and a focused space for women to discuss challenges unique to their recovery.
Erie, Pennsylvania Meeting Location
Address: 737 Delaware Avenue, Suite 101, Erie, PA 16502
Meeting Times & Details:
- Daily Morning Meeting, Mondays to Fridays at 8:00 AM: These are short, focused meetings designed for members starting their day with motivation and commitment to stay clean. They typically include readings from NA literature and group discussion.
- Speaker Meeting, Saturdays at 7:00 PM: An open meeting where a guest speaker shares their personal recovery journey, inspiring members through lived experiences and recovery milestones.
East Amherst Meeting Location
Address: 1234 Main Street, East Amherst, NY 14051
Meeting Times & Details:
- Virtual Online Meeting, Wednesdays at 7:30 PM: A virtual format to accommodate members who cannot attend in person, with guided discussions and step work facilitated via video conference.
- Closed Step Study Meeting, Sundays at 5:00 PM: Focused on working through the 12 steps of NA in a confidential, closed group setting, encouraging deep personal reflection and growth.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Recognizing the loss of control is the foundation for seeking recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Opening the mind to spiritual principles fosters hope and recovery.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step reflects commitment to change beyond self-will.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Self-examination helps identify behaviours and harms caused by addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession brings relief and accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness signals willingness to change and grow.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Seeking help to overcome character defects fosters personal improvement.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Acknowledging harm is essential to repair relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Making amends helps heal past wounds responsibly.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-awareness protects recovery.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Spiritual growth supports sobriety maintenance.
- 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. Giving back and living the principles is key to sustained recovery.
These steps motivate members toward positive change across all NA groups in New York, Erie, and East Amherst.
Getting Started with NA in New York, Erie, East Amherst, USA
Individuals searching for local NA meetings in their area within New York, Erie, or East Amherst can find the most accurate and up-to-date information on meeting locations and times by visiting Methadone.org. This site is the best resource for locating both in-person and online/virtual NA meetings.
Most NA groups offer both physical meetings and virtual options to ensure accessibility for all members regardless of circumstances.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending a first meeting in New York, Erie, or East Amherst, it is helpful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings and how to prepare:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in Narcotics Anonymous, including addicts, family members, and friends. The focus is on sharing and general fellowship. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who have a desire to stop using drugs. Closed meetings provide a confidential environment for members to share personal experiences. |
- Arrive a few minutes early to introduce yourself as a new member and get comfortable with the meeting setting.
- Participate by sharing your experiences when you feel ready. Sharing is voluntary and welcomed but not required.
- Receive a welcome keychain tag as a symbol of your first meeting and commitment to recovery.
The following is a list of common NA keychain tag milestones, which serve as encouragement for ongoing sobriety:
- 30 Days: Celebrates the first month of continuous recovery.
- 60 Days: Marks two months clean, reinforcing growing strength in recovery.
- 1 Year: A significant milestone symbolizing sustained sobriety and commitment.
- Additional tags may be given at 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, recognizing longer-term recovery efforts.