Addiction treatment programs are essential for laying the groundwork for lasting recovery from a substance use disorder. However, treatment alone isn’t enough to provide ongoing recovery support. A Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 12-step program can provide the support you need to make your addiction recovery a lasting one.
Narcotics Anonymous is one of the recovery program paths recommended to Woodland Recovery Center patients as part of our Pick Your Path program. We know that finding a suitable recovery program is an essential part of effective addiction recovery.
Pick Your Path aims to educate patients on the most popular recovery programs so that they can take an active role in crafting an individualized treatment path that leads to successful addiction recovery. For more information on our patient-directed Pick Your Path program, call 662.222.2989 and speak to a staff member at Woodland Recovery Center today.
What Is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous is one of the largest and oldest addiction recovery programs in existence. Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held around the globe. Even the smallest towns usually have at least one local chapter, while larger cities have multiple daily meetings.
The NA recovery program is based on the 12 steps. Participants are encouraged to recognize that they are powerless over their substance use, build a relationship with a higher power, and take an ongoing moral inventory of how they show up in the world and interact with others.
An NA program typically places a strong emphasis on the importance of fellowship and community. There’s often a strong community among NA participants, and meetings have a social feel. Attendees are encouraged to socialize before and after meetings and participate in NA-sponsored events like picnics, cook-offs, and parties.
Understanding NA’s 12-Steps
The 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous provide a structured framework to guide people on their path to recovery. These steps encourage personal reflection, accountability, and spiritual growth while fostering a supportive community. Below is a simplified list of the 12 steps:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- We made a list of all the persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
- We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, we promptly admitted it.
- 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.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to people with an addiction and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
These steps may feel overwhelming at first, but they provide a clear path toward healing, with the support of peers every step of the way.
What Happens at an NA Recovery Program Meeting?
NA meetings follow the basic format of any 12-step meeting. Meetings begin with a reading of the 12 steps and welcome texts. New participants are encouraged to introduce themselves, and anyone struggling with the desire to use drugs or alcohol is encouraged to speak up and share what they’re going through.
Typical Narcotics Anonymous meetings consist of participants taking turns:
- Sharing challenges and successes
- Asking for guidance
- Offering advice
- Speaking on the topic of the daily reading
Participants are encouraged to choose a sponsor who serves as a recovery mentor. The sponsor and sponsee meet outside of regular meetings to work through the 12 steps using NA texts and workbooks.
Is NA the Recovery Program for Me?
Like any recovery program, NA has benefits and drawbacks. Narcotics Anonymous meetings can provide a vibrant sense of community, helping you build recovery-based relationships that often last a lifetime. They are also one of the most popular recovery programs, so there’s typically no shortage of in-person meetings.
NA might be right for you if:
- A sense of community is important to you
- You want many in-person meeting options
- You can commit to doing program work outside of meeting times
- You are drawn to the 12-step philosophy
Joining Narcotics Anonymous means actively participating in your recovery. To get the most out of the program, attend meetings regularly, choose a sponsor, and commit to working through the steps.
Reach Out to Woodland Recovery Center to Explore 12-Step Recovery Options
At Woodland Recovery Center, we understand that recovery looks different for everyone. That’s why we offer a variety of options through our Pick Your Path program, including Narcotics Anonymous Meetings and other 12-step programs. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the best path for your personal journey toward lasting recovery. Call us at 662.222.2989 or contact us online today to learn more about our patient-directed approach and continue your path to lasting recovery.
