—————————–
I need help, what should I do?
If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. Otherwise, we suggest that you get to a meeting as soon as possible.
If you would like to speak to someone about meetings in your area, have questions, or just need an ear, please call our hotline at 1-800-317-3222. Representatives are normally available 24/7, but should we miss your call, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Am I an addict?
Only you can answer this question, but here is some information that can help.
What is Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?
NA is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only one requirement for membership, the desire to stop using. We suggest that you keep an open mind and give yourself a break. Our program is a set of principles written so simply that we can follow them in our daily lives. The most important thing about them is that they work.
Click here for information about what to expect in Narcotics Anonymous.
How do I find a meeting near me?
Meetings can be found by clicking here or by calling our hotline at 1-800-317-3222.
What should I do at my first meeting?
When you get to your first meeting, raise your hand and introduce yourself. Express that you need help and ask for phone numbers. We want to help you, but we need to know you need help first!
A meeting a day for at least the first ninety days of recovery is a good idea.
Do I have to be clean to attend meetings?
No. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. We have seen the program work for any addict who honestly and sincerely wants to stop. We don’t have to be clean when we get here, but after the first meeting, we suggest that newcomers keep coming back and come back clean. However, you are always welcome, clean or not.
Are the meetings monitored (by law enforcement)?
No, we are not connected with any law enforcement groups, and are under no surveillance at any time.
How long do I have to attend meetings?
A meeting a day for at least the first ninety days of recovery is a good idea. Hopefully, within those first 90 days, you will have found a sponsor who can help you determine what will work for you going forward. We generally ask that members give the program and staying clean a try for one year before deciding whether to keep coming.
Are meetings handicap accessible?
The Susquehanna Area of NA holds multiple meetings a day, some of which may be handicap/wheelchair accessible. Handicap meetings are denoted by a WC with a wheelchair symbol on our online schedule, as seen here:
And by a “WA” on our print schedule, as seen here:
Meetings can be found by clicking here or by calling our hotline at 1-800-317-3222.
Do I have to be a member in order to attend?
You do not have to be a member in order to attend NA meetings, in fact, you don’t even have to have a drug problem to attend some meetings. There are different types of NA meetings which serve different purposes. Narcotics Anonymous offers “open” and “closed” meetings. A closed meeting in Narcotics Anonymous is for those individuals who identify themselves as addicts or for those who are uncertain and think they might have a drug problem. A closed Narcotics Anonymous meeting provides a freedom that is necessary for more personal and intimate sharing by Narcotics Anonymous members. It does so by providing an atmosphere in which addicts can feel more certain that those attending will be able to identify with them, and share their own experience, strength, and hope.
An open meeting is an NA meeting that may be attended by anyone (e.g., judges, probation officers, professionals, family members) interested in how we have found recovery from the disease of addiction. Verbal participation, however, is limited to NA members only. An open meeting in Narcotics Anonymous allows people from outside of the fellowship to observe what Narcotics Anonymous is and how it functions. This can be very helpful to those individuals who are striving to reach a decision regarding their personal status as an addict. An open meeting in Narcotics Anonymous is one method our groups use to achieve their primary purpose of carrying the message to the addict who still suffers. Some groups also have open meetings as a way of allowing non-addict friends and relatives of NA members to celebrate recovery anniversaries with them.
Closed meetings are denoted by a “C” and open meetings by an “O” in our online and print schedules, as seen here:
How do I become a member?
The only requirement for membership in Narcotics Anonymous is a desire to stop using. You are a member when you say you are and membership in NA is unconditional.
What are the cost associated with being a member?
Narcotics Anonymous has no initiation fees or dues. We pass the basket in meetings in accordance with our 7th tradition, which states that all NA groups be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. The money in the basket goes to pay for meeting rent and supplies and what is left over is donated to the area. For more information, please see “Funding NA Services”.
What is a sponsor?
An NA sponsor is a member of Narcotics Anonymous, living our program of recovery, who is willing to build a special, supportive, one-on-one relationship with us. Most members think of a sponsor, first and foremost, as someone who can help us work the Twelve Steps of NA. Find more information here
What is a homegroup?
Choosing and supporting a home group is an important part of recovery. A home group is a meeting where you are comfortable and one you will attend regularly. We call this our home group because it suggests a place where we fit in and belong. Having a home group allows us to have an anchor each week where we can get to know the people and they can really get to know us. We develop a bond with each other as we grow together. We make a commitment to our home group, and if we are absent for some reason, we will be missed. Our home group is also the place where we celebrate each new year of clean time. We develop true friends, often for the first time in our lives, and learn to respect each other. This can be very important in our recovery.
Updated: 05/13/2022 jc