What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a worldwide support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with drug addiction. NA offers a free program with regular group meetings held across many cities in the United States, including New York, Orange, and Warwick, providing a safe and confidential environment for recovery.
These meetings focus on mutual support through sharing experiences, strength, and hope, encouraging members to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Newburgh, New York
Address: 265 Van Ness Street, Newburgh, NY
Meeting Time: 7:00 PM daily
This “Change or Die Second Group” meeting is held in person every evening, offering a structured group setting where members share personal stories and use the 12-step program as a foundation for recovery. It encourages open discussions and peer support to build a sober community.
Middletown, Orange County
Address: Various locations in Middletown, NY (specific addresses vary per meeting)
Meeting Times: Multiple daily and evening meetings available
Middletown NA meetings include both open and closed formats, with sessions led by experienced members using guided discussions and step work. Methods range from speaker meetings to topic discussions, designed to accommodate newcomers and long-term members alike.
Warwick, New York
Address: Local community centers and church halls in Warwick, NY
Meeting Times: Weekly meetings, typically evenings and weekends
Warwick’s NA meetings feature a welcoming setting where members focus on sharing insights about sobriety and coping strategies. The meetings often start with the Serenity Prayer and include readings from NA literature, fostering a supportive and respectful atmosphere.
The 12 Steps of NA
- Admitting Powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over drugs—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step acknowledges the need for help beyond self-will.
- Belief in a Higher Power: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It introduces hope and spiritual recovery.
- Decision to Turn Over Will: Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves trust and surrender.
- Self-Inventory: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members reflect honestly on their behaviors and attitudes.
- Admitting Wrongs: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This builds accountability and transparency.
- Readiness for Change: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. It prepares members for personal growth.
- Asking for Removal of Shortcomings: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step aligns with humility and willingness.
- List of Harmed Persons: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Focuses on repairing relationships.
- Making Amends: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This promotes healing and restitution.
- Continued Personal Inventory: Continued to take personal inventory and when wrong promptly admitted it. Encourages ongoing self-awareness.
- Spiritual Practice: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Supports spiritual growth.
- Helping Others: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts and practice these principles in all our affairs. Reinforces service and ongoing recovery.
The 12 Steps aim to motivate members toward positive change and sustained recovery throughout New York, Orange, and Warwick areas.
Getting Started with NA in New York, Orange, Warwick, USA
The best way to find local NA meetings is to search on Methadone.org, which offers up-to-date information on both in-person and virtual meetings across New York, Orange, and Warwick.
Most locations provide both face-to-face and online/virtual meetings to accommodate different needs and preferences, ensuring accessibility for all who seek help.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting, it is important to understand the difference between open and closed meetings. Open meetings welcome anyone interested, including newcomers and family members, while closed meetings are restricted to those who identify as addicts seeking recovery.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Any person interested in Narcotics Anonymous can attend. These meetings aim to inform and support both addicts and their loved ones. |
| Closed Meeting | Attendance is limited to individuals who have a desire to stop using drugs. This creates an intimate and confidential environment for recovery work. |
- Arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member to feel welcomed and get oriented.
- Share your experiences only if you feel comfortable doing so. Participation is encouraged but voluntary.
- Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting, marking your initial commitment to recovery.
List of Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 Days: Celebrates the first month of continuous sobriety.
- 60 Days: Marks two months of sustained recovery effort and commitment.
- 1 Year: Recognizes one year of sustained abstinence and personal growth.
- Additional milestones include 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, each encouraging continued dedication.