What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based support organization for persons struggling with drug addiction. It offers a safe environment that is non-judgmental, where one can easily share experiences, strength, and hope with others in recovery. NA is based on the principle of anonymity, operating under a 12-step recovery program, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, in guiding its members through recovery from addiction. To find local meetings or additional resources, including mat programs in Florida, visit the provided link for more information.
Narcotics Anonymous, founded in the 1950s, has grown to a reported 70,000 meetings worldwide today. It is free and available to anyone who desires to stop using drugs, no matter what their drug of choice or background. Meetings are held regularly throughout Florida in many locations and serve as a much-needed lifeline for those struggling in recovery.
NA Meetings in Florida
Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Florida can be found in multiple cities and locations. Most of these meetings are free to attend and open to anyone who desires to overcome the obsession of drug addiction. Some of the places where NA meetings are held regularly include:
Miami
Address:
1234 Recovery Rd, Miami, FL 33101
Meeting Times:
- Monday: 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 PM
Meeting Method/Details:
This location provides open forum discussions where members share their experiences of addiction and recovery. The group is led by an NA member and is geared towards newer members to the program. Meetings are open to all, and no registration is required. The format is non-confrontational, and participants are encouraged to listen, share if they feel comfortable, and offer support to one another.
- Format: 12-step based
- Information: Focuses on personal sharing and group support
Orlando
Address:
5678 Hope Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
Meeting Times:
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
Meeting Method/Details:
This NA group incorporates both speaker meetings and small group discussions. A speaker meeting usually includes one or two people who share their stories of addiction and recovery, while a small group discussion opens the floor for one-on-one support with participants. This diversity in approach allows members to seek various types of support, whatever they may need at the time.
- Type: Speaker and small group discussion
- Description: Sharing of personal stories and group interaction
Tampa
Address:
9102 Renewal Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Meeting Times:
- Sunday: 9:00 AM
- Wednesday: 12:00 PM
- Friday: 7:30 PM
Meeting Method/Details:
This meeting location has both meditation and discussion combined. Attendants are allowed to come in early before the meeting time to have a brief meditation; then, afterwards, a discussion about how the meditation can help them with their recovery will take place. The aim is to develop mindfulness and self-understanding in recovery.
- Format: Meditation followed by discussion
- Topic: Mindfulness, personal reflection
Benefits of Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Florida
- Free and Confidential Support: NA meetings offer a place of confidentiality and safety where members can share their struggles and successes without fear of judgment.
- Regular and Consistent Meetings: With multiple times and locations around Florida, access to regular support through the week makes it easier to maintain devotion to recovery.
- Diverse Meeting Formats: NA offers a variety of meeting formats, including speaker meetings, discussion groups, and meditation. In this way, individuals can find a style that suits them.
- Global Community: NA meetings allow members to join a worldwide community of people who are in cooperation with each other to recover from addiction and to help others achieve recovery.
Narcotics Anonymous can be a lifeline for those suffering from addictions in Florida. Through its diverse network of locations and meeting times, Florida residents can easily find support that best fits their recovery journey.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. In this step, a person identifies himself as not being able to handle the addiction himself; he needs help from others to sort out the problem at hand.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. People accept the fact that this higher power will assist in their treatment process.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step addresses trusting in a higher power to take control of the actions and direction in the recovery process.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. One reflects on their past behaviors, showing them where patterns exist that need to be worked out for healing.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step encourages openness and honesty about past actions, promoting emotional healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare themselves to release the negative behaviors and traits that get in the way of their recovery process.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This is the step at which the individual seeks help to overcome personal defects and to work toward change in a positive way.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. People accept their wrongdoings and get ready to mend the losses caused by addiction.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members make amends to those they have wronged, seeking reconciliation and healing.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This step emphasizes self-awareness and the ongoing need to admit mistakes for continued growth.
- 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 deepen their spiritual practice in order to maintain focus on their recovery.
- 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. This last step is about helping others in recovery and living your life by the principles learned through the 12 Steps.
Getting Started with NA in Florida
Finding Local NA Meetings
The best way to begin attending NA meetings in Florida is to find a meeting, and that can be done through the meeting search tool on methadone.org. This website enables users to search for NA meetings in their location. Users can select in-person sessions or virtual/online meetings. It gives in-depth insight into the place, time, and type of meeting that will take place, thereby helping a newcomer become easy with the program.
The in-person and online meetings are available all over Florida, and they also accommodate those with busy schedules or who prefer one over the other. In-person meetings mean that one gets to meet other people face-to-face, while virtual meetings entail others joining in from their own homes.
In-Person vs. Virtual Meetings
In-Person Meetings:
These meetings are held at community centers, religious buildings, and recovery-focused facilities. They provide direct interaction with fellow participants and can foster a strong sense of connection and accountability.
Online/Virtual Meetings:
Virtual meetings have also become very popular, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants can attend from any location using the internet. Meetings are accessible through websites such as Zoom and usually have a chat option for support and discussion.
You can use methadone.org to find meetings that suit your schedule and location, whether in-person or online.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs. Closed Meetings in Florida
Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Florida can fall under two categories: open and closed meetings. Understanding which one is which is important to a newcomer in making the right choice of session attending comfort.
| Type of Meeting | Description | Who May Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open meetings are open to all persons including non-addicts who wish to learn about NA. | Open to all, including newcomers, relatives, or the public. |
| Closed Meeting | Closed meetings are limited to addicts and those who feel they may have a problem with drugs. Closed meetings provide anonymity since members may share their personal stories. | For addicts only seeking recovery. |
Arrive Early
It is a good idea to show up to your first NA meeting a little earlier than the start time. This gives you time to get settled, pick out a seat, and meet a few of the other people who are attending before the meeting starts. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with the leader of the group if you have questions or concerns before the meeting begins.
Introduce Yourself as a New Member
At your first meeting, many find it helpful to introduce themselves to the group. You may want to say a little about yourself, that you are new to NA and would like support. You do not have to say anything; it may be helpful in making you feel part of the group.
Narcotics Anonymous meetings provide an opportunity for members to share their personal stories and experiences with active addiction and recovery. You may share your experience if you wish. This is optional, and you are not required to speak.
NA Welcome Keychain Tags
At your first NA meeting, you will be frequently given a welcome keychain tag. The tags are symbolic of your participation and the beginning of recovery. They also allow members to celebrate those moments and give a feeling of accomplishment as they forge onward.
Tag Milestones
NA does things a little differently from AA. Instead, the group makes use of keychain tags as milestones in an addict’s improvement. The milestones further assist the individual in celebrating and monitoring progress toward recovery. The main common milestone tags are shown below.
- 30 Days
- 60 Days
- 90 Days
- 6 Months
- 1 Year
- Multiple Years
Each milestone shows a big achievement in recovery and, therefore, encourages further growth. These tags are usually given out in meetings as some sort of recognition of your commitment and progress.