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What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. It is a support group designed specifically for those struggling with drug addiction and seeking recovery. NA offers a free program with regular group meetings focused on helping members maintain abstinence and build a new way of life.
NA meetings are available in cities across the United States, including Wisconsin, Dane County, and Stoughton. These meetings provide a safe, welcoming environment where addicts can share their experiences, challenges, and successes without judgment. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using drugs.
Address: Room 22, East Washington Entrance, Church Basement, Madison, WI
Meetings are held every Monday at 7:00 PM, both in person and via Zoom (ID: 836 6962 5793, Password: pop). This hybrid format allows members to participate either face-to-face or remotely, accommodating those who prefer virtual attendance or are unable to travel. Each meeting features a discussion format where members share experiences and provide mutual support.
Address: Stoughton United Methodist Church, 220 E Main St, Stoughton, WI
Meetings take place every Wednesday at 6:30 PM. These sessions focus on step study, where members work through the 12 Steps of NA collaboratively. The group encourages open sharing and emphasizes confidentiality, creating a strong sense of community and accountability among participants.
Address: Dane County Community Center, 5053 County Rd M, Madison, WI
Meetings are held every Saturday at 4:00 PM, conducted strictly in person. This meeting is designed for newcomers and frequently includes a newcomer orientation segment, giving attendees information about NA’s principles and resources. Group members often provide literature and welcome keychains to first-time participants as tokens of encouragement.
The 12 Steps of NA
- Admit Powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over drugs—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step acknowledges the need for help beyond personal control.
- Believe in a Higher Power: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This encourages openness to spiritual guidance, however each member defines it.
- Make a Decision: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This is about commitment to surrender and trust in recovery.
- Self-Inventory: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This step promotes honest self-examination of personal faults and behaviors.
- Admit Wrongs: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing openly with others helps break denial and isolation.
- Ready for Change: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step prepares members mentally and spiritually for transformation.
- Ask for Help: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. It involves active seeking of spiritual and practical assistance.
- Make List of Harms: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. This step fosters accountability and repair of relationships.
- Make Amends: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. It emphasizes responsible restitution.
- Continued Inventory: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This sustains ongoing self-awareness and correction.
- Spiritual Practice: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying for knowledge and strength. This nurtures spiritual growth and perseverance.
- Carry the Message: 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. This final step promotes outreach and consistent application of recovery principles.
These steps are designed to motivate members toward positive change and sustain long-term recovery across Wisconsin, Dane, and Stoughton.
Getting Started with NA in Wisconsin, Dane, Stoughton, USA
Individuals seeking NA meetings in Wisconsin, Dane County, and Stoughton are strongly encouraged to search for local meetings on Methadone.org. This website is considered the best resource for finding nearby meetings, including updated times and formats.
Most locations offer both in-person and online/virtual meeting options to accommodate different needs and preferences, ensuring accessibility regardless of personal circumstances.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings come in two types in Stoughton: open and closed. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about NA and recovery, including professionals and family members. Closed meetings are limited to those who identify as addicts or those who have a desire to stop using, providing a confidential space for sharing.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in the NA program. Non-addicts can attend to learn about recovery or support loved ones. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to addicts or those who desire to stop using. Focuses exclusively on member sharing and confidentiality. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member. This helps build rapport with regular attendees and allows you to ask questions.
- Feel free to share your experiences during the meeting if you are comfortable. Sharing is voluntary and supported as part of the recovery process.
- New members typically receive welcome keychain tags at their first meeting, symbolizing commitment to recovery.
The following is a list of common keytag milestones given in NA meetings, along with their significance:
- 30 Days: Celebrates the first month of continuous abstinence, encouraging early recovery success.
- 60 Days: Marks sustained commitment and growing strength in recovery during the challenging early stages.
- 1 Year: A major milestone recognizing one full year of clean living, symbolizing perseverance and stability.