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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global support group designed specifically for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It offers a free, peer-led program aimed at helping members achieve and maintain sobriety through mutual support, sharing experiences, and following a structured recovery path.
NA meetings are regularly held in cities across the United States, including Virginia and the city of Bedford. These meetings provide a safe, confidential environment where members can connect, share, and find encouragement on their recovery journeys.
Address: Bedford Presbyterian Community Center
300 Center Street, Bedford, Virginia
Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Meeting Type: Open discussion format
- Description: This weekly meeting encourages members to openly share their experiences with addiction and recovery challenges. The discussion is respectful and supportive, focusing on personal stories and practical coping strategies within a comfortable community setting.
Address: Saint John’s Episcopal Church
314 North Bridge Street, Bedford, Virginia
Meeting Time: Thursdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Meeting Type: Speaker meeting
- Description: Members gather to listen to a selected speaker who shares their recovery story and insights related to overcoming addiction. Following the speaker, attendees have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss themes related to the NA program and personal growth.
Address: Roads to Recovery Building
3000 Langhorne Road, Lynchburg, Virginia (near Bedford)
Meeting Time: Sundays, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Meeting Type: Literature study
- Description: This meeting focuses on Reading and discussing NA-approved literature, including the Twelve Steps and other recovery materials. Members reflect on the readings and share how the principles apply to their recovery process, fostering understanding and commitment.
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 first step toward recovery and acknowledging the need for help.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages openness to spiritual guidance or external support beyond personal willpower.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members commit to trusting in a higher power for strength and direction in their recovery.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This involves honest self-examination to identify behaviors, attitudes, and harms caused by addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing faults openly helps remove shame and fosters accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step is about willingness to change and grow beyond harmful behaviors.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. A request for spiritual help in overcoming personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognizing the impact of addiction on others is vital for healing relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility through reparations nurtures trust and personal integrity.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-awareness and honesty prevent relapse and promote growth.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. This spiritual practice supports sustained recovery and inner peace.
- 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 to the community reinforces sobriety and builds fellowship.
Getting Started with NA in Virginia, Bedford, Bedford, USA
Individuals seeking local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Virginia and the Bedford area are encouraged to search meetings on Methadone.org, which provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory of NA meetings in the region.
Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most locations, offering flexibility and accessibility regardless of members’ preferences or circumstances.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in Bedford come in two main types: open and closed. Understanding the distinction helps new members choose a meeting that fits their comfort level and stage of recovery.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in the NA program, including members, family, friends, and those curious about recovery. These meetings encourage sharing but do not require membership. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who identify themselves as addicts seeking recovery. These meetings provide a confidential setting focused specifically on active members’ needs. |
- Arrive early to your first meeting and introduce yourself as a new local member to facilitators or trusted attendees.
- Share your experiences during the meeting only if you feel comfortable; participation is encouraged but never forced.
- At your first meeting, you will typically receive a welcome keychain tag symbolizing your entry into the NA fellowship and marking your commitment to sobriety.
Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 Days Tag: Signifies the completion of the first month of continuous sobriety, a critical milestone symbolizing early commitment and progress.
- 60 Days Tag: Represents sustained recovery beyond the initial phase, reinforcing determination and ongoing support.
- 1 Year Tag: Celebrates a full year of sobriety, highlighting perseverance, growth, and strength within the NA community.
- Additional milestones include 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, recognizing continued dedication and personal transformation.