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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It operates as a free program offering a community of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other maintain sobriety and live drug-free lives. NA meetings are available across many cities in the United States, including Virginia and specifically in Chesapeake.
The program is based on complete abstinence from all drugs and is open to anyone who has a desire to stop using. Regular group meetings provide a safe and supportive environment where members share experiences, receive encouragement, and work together through the recovery process using the 12 Step program.
Address 1: Community United Methodist Church, Virginia Beach, VA
Location: 1072 Old Kempsville Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Meeting Time: Mondays, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Meeting Details: This meeting offers a meditation-based format where members engage in quiet reflection and guided meditation to support recovery. It is a community-focused session encouraging mindfulness and group discussion to enhance emotional and spiritual healing.
Address 2: Chesapeake Library Meeting Room, Chesapeake, VA
Location: 298 Cedar Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Meeting Details: This weekly meeting employs a speaker/discussion format where members share personal stories of addiction and recovery. The focus is on peer support and learning from the experiences of others to build resilience and maintain sobriety.
Address 3: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Chesapeake, VA
Location: 1129 Great Bridge Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Meeting Time: Fridays, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Meeting Details: At this venue, meetings are conducted in a step-study format where members systematically work through the 12 Steps of NA. The structured approach fosters deep understanding of recovery principles and encourages accountability and growth.
The 12 Steps of NA
- Admitted powerlessness over addiction and recognized life was unmanageable. This first step establishes the foundation for recovery by acknowledging the need for help.
- Believed a power greater than ourselves could restore sanity. Members begin to trust in a spiritual or higher power to support their healing.
- Decided to turn our will and lives over to this higher power. This step involves surrender and commitment to change.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Self-examination helps members identify destructive patterns and behaviors.
- Admitted to the higher power, ourselves, and another person the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession promotes honesty and relief from guilt.
- Were entirely ready to have the higher power remove all defects of character. This readiness empowers members to let go of negative traits.
- Humbly asked the higher power to remove shortcomings. This step fosters humility and openness to transformation.
- Made a list of all persons harmed and became willing to make amends. Repairing relationships is key to healing.
- Made direct amends wherever possible, except when doing so would injure others. Taking responsibility fosters trust and reconciliation.
- Continued to take personal inventory and promptly admitted wrongs. This ongoing self-awareness prevents relapse.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact with the higher power. This step deepens spiritual connection and guidance.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result, we tried to carry this message to addicts and practice these principles. Members give back by supporting others in recovery.
Getting Started with NA in Virginia, Chesapeake, Chesapeake, USA
The best way to find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Virginia, Chesapeake, or surrounding areas is by searching on Methadone.org. This platform provides up-to-date listings for both in-person and virtual meetings available in most locations, allowing individuals to choose the format that suits their needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in Virginia/Chesapeake, it’s helpful to know the difference between open and closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested, including family, friends, and newcomers. These meetings provide an introduction to NA and allow non-addicts to observe and understand the recovery process. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop using drugs. Privacy is emphasized to create a safe and confidential environment for sharing personal experiences. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member and get oriented.
- Share your experiences during meetings if you feel comfortable doing so; participation helps build connection and support.
- Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting to mark your journey in NA.
Keychain milestones are used to recognize and motivate members’ progress in their recovery:
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous sobriety, reinforcing commitment and hope.
- 60 days: Marks two months of recovery progress, encouraging perseverance.
- 1 year: Acknowledges a full year of sustained abstinence and significant personal growth.