Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in New Jersey: Find Support and Recovery
What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for drug-addicted people. It is a nonprofit fellowship that provides a non-threatening, supportive environment in which to share their experiences, strength, and hope in overcoming their addiction. The program is free of charge, and it emphasizes personal recovery, community support, and a spiritual approach to healing. One of the largest and best known of them is NA, with over 70,000 meetings held across the world. If you’re looking for local support in New Jersey, you can explore the methadone program in NJ to find additional resources and support services available in the state.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are available in many cities around New Jersey, and there are accessible and frequent opportunities to seek help for those affected by drug addiction. The meetings are open to any interested person, and the proceedings are based on a 12-step program, much like Alcoholics Anonymous, with support being provided through regular gatherings, group discussions, and shared recovery experiences.
Meeting Locations and Times
Following are some of the places in New Jersey where Narcotics Anonymous meetings take place:
Trenton Area NA
Address: 123 Main St, Trenton, NJ
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM
Meeting Details:
- Open and closed meetings available
- Step study meetings
- Newcomer welcome sessions
- Closed discussions focusing on specific addiction-related topics
Jersey City NA
Address: 456 Ocean Ave, Jersey City, NJ
Meeting Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6:30 PM
Meeting Details:
- Step meetings
- Speaker meetings sharing personal stories; open to anyone interested in addiction recovery
- Women’s only and other specialized support groups
Newark Area NA
Address: 789 Broad St, Newark, NJ
Meeting Time: Sundays and Wednesdays at 8:00 PM
Meeting Details:
- Closed group discussions for members only
- Open format: sharing of personal recovery experiences
- Meditation and mindfulness-based approaches
- Safe, non-judgmental space for all participants
Each NA meeting in New Jersey is based on the basic principles of Narcotics Anonymous, where members share their experiences, offer mutual support, and work through the 12-step recovery process. The meetings are to be accepting, non-judgmental, and supportive for all participants. Newcomers are also welcomed with compassion, and help is extended to those in addiction.
Since the 1950s, NA meetings have been held all over the world, and they continue to be a lifeline for recovering addicts. The New Jersey meetings are very instrumental in reclaiming lives of people from addiction.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous give insight into personal growth, healing, and recovery from addiction to drugs. Each step emphasizes self-reflection, accountability, and spiritual growth and is meant to inspire the members to change positively.
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitting the inability to control their addiction is the first step toward recovery. - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
This step calls for faith in a higher power or personal source of strength. - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
The surrendering of control to a higher power helps an individual build trust and peace in recovery. - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Self-examination and honesty are crucial for identifying personal issues and growth areas. - Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Acknowledging mistakes and sharing them fosters accountability and personal healing. - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
This step emphasizes the readiness to change and grow from past shortcomings. - Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
A prayerful request for personal transformation helps in overcoming flaws and imperfections. - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
The assumption of responsibility for harm caused in the past can also help reconciliation and healing. - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Directly making restitution in a relationship heals and restores the same. - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-reflection ensures continued growth and humility in recovery. - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him.
Spiritual development helps maintain peace and focus throughout the recovery process. - 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.
Helping others and applying the principles in daily life ensure sustained recovery and fulfillment.
Getting Started with NA in New Jersey
If you want to search locally for Narcotics Anonymous meetings, you may do so from methadone.org, utilizing their meeting finder tool for in-person or online/virtual meetings near your location. The vast majority of locations within this state offer some sort of NA gatherings, allowing for a choice regarding the day of the week, along with a time of preference that is most conducive.
- In-person meetings: Take part in face-to-face gatherings for direct interaction and support from fellow members.
- Online/Virtual meetings: Most meetings offer an online platform where you can participate from the comfort of your house, hence flexible and convenient.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in New Jersey, it’s important to understand the different types of meetings available.
Open vs. Closed Meetings
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | Open to anyone interested in addiction recovery. Non-members can attend as observers. |
| Closed | Restricted to members or individuals who have a desire to stop using drugs. |
It is advisable to go early to have some time to get used to the meeting environment. As a newcomer, introduce yourself to others, share your experiences if you feel comfortable, and be open to the support of the group.
Welcome Keychain Tags
At your first meeting, you will usually be given a keychain tag as a symbol of your commitment to recovery. These tags are milestones to mark your progress in the NA program.
Tag Milestones:
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 1 year
- And more
Each milestone tag represents an important achievement in recovery and provides encouragement and recognition for your efforts.