Feeling nervous about attending your first Narcotics Anonymous meeting is completely numbered. Just remember, everyone there has been in your shoes at some point, and there might even be other newcomers during the session. NA is made up of people in recovery who want to support each other, which means they offer a welcoming, accepting space.
NA meetings may follow various formats, including discussion meetings or speaker meetings. In a discussion meeting, people take turns sharing their experiences with substance abuse and recovery, while in a speaker meeting, one or more members will share their story for most of the session, depending on the format of the meeting.
If you attend a discussion meeting, you will notice that sharing happens one person at a time. Newcomers are not expected to speak, but you are always welcome to if you would like. People share from their own experience, rather than give advice or comment on someone else’s story. Any conversations or questions can happen during breaks or after the meeting, unless the format of the meeting you are in is a beginner’s meeting and questions are a part of the meeting.
Start by choosing a meeting from the schedule that works best for you. Try to arrive a little early, maybe 15 to 30 minutes before the meeting starts. Meetings tend to begin promptly, and showing up with time to spare gives you space to settle in, find a seat, and maybe grab some of the free coffee or tea many groups provide.
When you walk in, someone might ask if it is your first time at NA. You can share as much or as little as you like—maybe that you are curious, that you are checking things out, or even that you are not sure yet if NA is for you. Either way, you will be welcomed. You may also be asked your first name, but you are never required to share more than you are comfortable with.
At many meetings, members greet or say goodbye with hugs. You are free to accept or decline. It can feel unfamiliar at first, but no one will take it personally if you prefer not to.
NA meetings can be either open—where anyone, including friends, family, or students, may attend—or closed, which are limited to those who are seeking recovery who identify as an addict. Many people find closed meetings provide a greater sense of safety for honest sharing. These meetings are not limited to one specific drug. People attend NA for support with opioid, hallucinogen, and stimulant use disorder, etc.
Meetings usually last about 60 to 90 minutes. In discussion-style meetings, members take turns sharing their experiences, often for less than five minutes at a time. Other formats include topic discussions or speaker meetings, where someone talks in more depth about their recovery journey. There are also many book meetings where one of the NA books are read and discussed. Folks typically share how they can relate to what they read or their experience with a certain step or tradition if the reading is about a step or tradition.
As a newcomer, you will be welcomed with a key tag to mark your first day in recovery. Additional tags are given at milestones like 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months, and beyond, to celebrate progress.
While NA is not group therapy, it is a supportive space where people with substance use struggles connect and encourage one another. If your first meeting does not feel like the right fit, you should consider trying others—each group has its own energy and flow.
New members are often encouraged to attend daily meetings for the first 90 days, though long-term involvement varies for each person. Over time, many find themselves more at ease, building connections, and experiencing a growing sense of belonging and start to enjoy and look forward to going to meetings and participating in a home group and service work.
As the meeting winds down, there is often a time set aside for NA-related announcements and updates. A short reading may also be shared. Some meetings may include a “clean time countdown,” where members have the opportunity to acknowledge their clean time and celebrate milestones, such as clean-time birthdays. This activity is not to pressure or compare, but to show that recovery is possible and worth celebrating. .
A donation basket is usually passed around toward the end as well. Contributions are entirely voluntary and go toward meeting costs like rent, literature, refreshments, and other services. New members and guests are encouraged to simply pass the basket along and “keep coming back.” If you decide to attend regularly, you can contribute in the future if you desire to and can afford to.
Before closing, members are reminded of the principle of anonymity. What members share during the meeting stays within the meeting so that everyone’s privacy and trust are respected.
If you are searching for a safe space to support your recovery journey, Inspire Recovery can help you find one. We know how important it is to participate in meetings where you can be your authentic self. We can connect you to LGBTQ+ affirming NA meetings that celebrate inclusivity and community. Reach out to us at 561-786-2655 to discover a network of meetings where you will truly belong.
How can I prove that I attended Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous program is based on anonymity and voluntary participation. If you need proof of attendance for court, work, or another requirement, you can ask the meeting secretary to sign a slip or attendance sheet that you bring with you. Some groups are familiar with this process and will discreetly handle it without drawing attention. It’s always best to check in at the start or end of the meeting.
Do I have to take up a religion to attend Narcotics Anonymous?
You do not have to belong to any religious organization to attend Narcotics Anonymous. NA is a spiritual program, not a religious one, and it welcomes people of all faiths as well as those with no religious beliefs. While meetings may include references to a “Higher Power,” each person is free to interpret that in their own way. The focus is on recovery and support, not religious affiliation.
Is Narcotics Anonymous Free?
Narcotics Anonymous is free to attend. There are no membership fees, dues, or required payments to participate in meetings. While the organizers may pass a donation box around at the end of meetings, contributions are entirely voluntary and meant to cover expenses for hosting and making the meetings comfortable. Newcomers are encouraged to simply attend and focus on recovery without worrying about money.
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