Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a free, nonprofit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. This program, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous, provides support through regular group meetings across the United States, including Minnesota. NA dot meetings offer a safe environment where individuals can share their experiences and support one another in their journey toward recovery.
What is NA?
NA meetings are available in cities across Minnesota, providing a supportive community for those struggling with drug addiction. These meetings are free and open to anyone who wishes to stop using drugs. NA follows a set of guiding principles known as the 12 Steps to help members achieve and maintain sobriety.
Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church
– Location: 4120 17th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407
– Meeting Times: Mondays at 7:30 PM (1 hour)
– Details: This meeting is focused on a Literature Study/Discussion format, where members explore and discuss NA literature to deepen their understanding of the recovery process. The setting is conducive to sharing personal experiences and relating them to the principles outlined in NA materials.
St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
– Location: 2300 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
– Meeting Times: Thursdays at 6:30 PM (1 hour)
– Details: This meeting features an Open Discussion format, allowing members to share freely about their struggles and successes in recovery. The open format encourages participation and helps build a sense of community among attendees.
Unity South Church
– Location: 7152 Karlstad Dr, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
– Meeting Times: Saturdays at 10:30 AM (1.5 hours)
– Details: This meeting is structured as a Speaker Meeting, where a guest speaker shares their personal story of recovery, providing inspiration and insights to attendees. The longer duration allows for a more comprehensive presentation and time for questions and discussion.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps are foundational to the recovery program offered by Narcotics Anonymous. These steps are designed to guide members toward a life free from drug addiction by fostering personal growth, spiritual awareness, and a sense of community. Each step is crucial in helping individuals overcome addiction and maintain long-term sobriety. Here are the steps listed, along with a brief description:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
– This step involves acknowledging the inability to control one’s addiction and recognizing how it impacts daily life. It’s about accepting the truth of one’s situation and finding the courage to seek help. - We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
– In this step, members explore the possibility of a higher power or force that can help them recover from addiction. It’s about trusting in something beyond personal control to guide and support recovery. - We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
– Here, members commit to surrendering personal willpower and instead rely on a higher power or spiritual guidance. This step involves faith and a willingness to change one’s life path. - We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
– This step requires honest self-reflection to identify personal flaws and past mistakes. It’s a critical process for personal growth and understanding. - We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
– Members share their personal inventory with someone they trust, fostering accountability and healing. This step helps build honesty and integrity. - We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
– Here, individuals prepare themselves to let go of harmful behaviors and traits, readying themselves for positive change. - We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
– In this step, members humbly request help from their higher power to overcome personal shortcomings and develop healthier behaviors. - We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
– Members identify those they have harmed due to their addiction and commit to making amends. This process helps repair relationships and fosters personal integrity. - We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
– Here, individuals take action to make amends to those they have harmed, promoting healing and restoration in relationships. - We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
– This step involves ongoing self-reflection and immediate acknowledgment of wrongdoing, maintaining personal integrity and continuous growth. - We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
– Members use prayer and meditation to deepen their spiritual understanding and connect with their higher power. This helps guide daily actions and decisions. - 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.
– The final step involves sharing the experience of recovery with others and incorporating the principles of NA into everyday life, promoting ongoing personal growth and service.
Getting Started with NA in Minnesota, USA
To find Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Minnesota, individuals can use the meeting search feature on websites like Methadone.org. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available across the state, catering to different needs and preferences.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending an NA meeting for the first time, it’s helpful to know the difference between open and closed meetings:
Meeting Type Descriptions
Open Meetings
Anyone can attend, including family members or friends interested in learning more about NA. These meetings often include guest speakers or special events.
Closed Meetings
Only for those with a desire to stop using drugs, providing a safe space for members to share their experiences without the presence of non-addicts.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
- Arrive Early: Get to the meeting location a little early to introduce yourself and get settled.
- Share Your Experiences: Feel free to share if you wish, but it’s entirely optional.
- Receive Welcome Keychain Tags: New attendees typically receive a welcome keychain as a milestone marker, which can be a meaningful reminder of progress.
Common Milestones Recognized with Keychain Tags
- 30 Days Clean
- 60 Days Clean
- 90 Days Clean
- 6 Months Clean
- 9 Months Clean
- 1 Year Clean
- 18 Months Clean
- Multiple Years Clean
These tags serve as symbols of progress and motivation, marking important steps in the recovery journey.