What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group designed to help individuals struggling with drug addiction. It provides a free and confidential program aimed at promoting recovery through peer support and shared experiences. NA meetings take place in cities across the United States, offering a welcoming environment for members to work through their addiction challenges.
In the New York area, including Queens and Bellerose, NA holds regular group meetings that are open to all who want to stop using drugs, regardless of the type of addiction or background. These meetings are free and provide an opportunity for members to share, listen, and support one another along their recovery journey.
House of Hope Presbyterian Church
84-54 248th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426
Meeting Times and Details:
- Daily Reprieve Meeting: Held daily in the evening, this meeting offers an open sharing format where members discuss their daily challenges and successes in recovery. Newcomers are encouraged to participate and gain support.
- The Dumping Ground 52922: A weekly meeting focusing on step study and personal stories, encouraging deeper understanding of recovery principles in a supportive setting.
Presbyterian Church
100-18 196th Street, Queens, NY 11429
Meeting Times and Details:
- Open Discussion Meeting: Takes place twice weekly, this meeting welcomes all members to share openly about addiction and recovery in a non-judgmental atmosphere, emphasizing mutual support and understanding.
- Step Meeting: Held once weekly, concentrating on the detailed study and discussion of the 12 Steps of NA to enhance personal growth and accountability.
Community Center, Queens Village
92-96 220th Street, Queens Village, NY 11428
Meeting Times and Details:
- Beginners’ Meeting: Conducted weekly, this meeting guides newcomers through the basics of NA philosophy and offers practical advice on starting the recovery process.
- Closed Meeting: Reserved for those who identify as addicts wishing to stop using drugs, this meeting provides a confidential and focused recovery environment.
The 12 Steps of NA
-
We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step acknowledges the need for help and acceptance of one’s current state to begin recovery.
-
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members open themselves to the possibility of spiritual healing and support beyond their individual strength.
-
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrendering control and trusting in a higher power for guidance.
-
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members honestly assess their behavior, motivations, and past actions to identify patterns contributing to their addiction.
-
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing vulnerabilities helps break denial and fosters accountability.
-
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness to change is essential for transforming behavior and mindset.
-
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step represents a conscious request for help in overcoming personal flaws.
-
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognition of the impact of one’s actions lays the foundation for reconciliation.
-
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility by repairing relationships wherever feasible.
-
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection and correction help maintain sobriety.
-
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 awareness supports sustained 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. Members commit to helping others and living by the program’s principles.
Getting Started with NA in New York, Queens, Bellerose, USA
To find local NA meetings in New York, Queens, or Bellerose, the best resource is Methadone.org. This site provides up-to-date information on meeting locations, times, and types in your area. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most locations, offering flexible options to suit individual needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first meeting in New York, Queens, or Bellerose, it’s useful to understand the difference between open and closed meetings.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the NA program including addicts, family members, and friends. These meetings encourage community understanding and support for recovery. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who identify as addicts seeking recovery. This provides a confidential and safe environment for sharing personal experiences. |
It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member. Sharing your experiences is encouraged but not obligatory—only share when comfortable. At your first meeting, you may receive symbolic welcome keychain tags that mark your milestones in recovery.
- 30 Days: A tag celebrating one month of continuous sobriety, encouraging perseverance in early recovery.
- 60 Days: Recognition for two months clean, reinforcing commitment and progress.
- 1 Year: A significant milestone marking sustained recovery and dedication to the NA program.
- Other Milestones (e.g., 6 months, 9 months, multiple years): These tags celebrate ongoing sobriety and inspire continual growth within the community.