What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship and support group designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. Its primary purpose is to provide a community where those affected by addiction can find encouragement and assistance in maintaining sobriety through regular meetings.
NA offers a free program with ongoing group meetings held regularly across the United States, including many locations in Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago. These meetings serve as a vital resource for members seeking peer support and recovery tools in a welcoming environment.
7010 South Union Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60621
Meeting Time: Saturdays, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
This “1 2 3 Kick Group” meeting provides a traditional face-to-face gathering where members share their experiences and support each other in recovery. The meeting follows a structured format including readings from NA literature and open sharing, encouraging honest dialogue among participants.
7525 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60634
Meeting Time: Mondays, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The “12 NA 12 Group” meeting emphasizes working through the Twelve Steps during the sessions, allowing members to reflect deeply on their recovery journey. Discussions often include how to apply the steps in daily life, fostering personal growth and accountability.
1842 S Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623-2622
Meeting Time: Mondays, 6:30 PM
At this location, the meetings are intimate and focus on peer support through personal storytelling. Members benefit from a compassionate environment that encourages newcomers to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable, promoting inclusiveness and community.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step marks the beginning of accepting the reality of addiction and the need for support.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It encourages openness to spiritual growth and external help beyond personal control.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves commitment to faith-based or spiritual recovery principles.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members take responsibility by honestly examining their past behaviors and character flaws.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This involves confession and vulnerability to foster healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness to change and embrace recovery is essential here.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step reflects surrender and trust in the recovery process.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognizing the impact of addiction on others is part of reparations.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step requires taking action to correct past harms in a responsible way.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection helps maintain sobriety.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Strengthening spiritual awareness supports long-term 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 step focuses on service and spreading hope within the NA community.
These steps serve to motivate members toward positive change in their lives throughout Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago.
Getting Started with NA in Illinois, Cook, Chicago, USA
The best way to find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Illinois, especially in Cook County and Chicago, is by using the meeting search tool available at methadone.org. This website provides comprehensive, up-to-date listings of both in-person and online/virtual meetings across the area.
Most locations offer a choice between traditional face-to-face meetings and virtual meetings, making it accessible for people with different preferences or physical limitations.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Understanding the types of NA meetings is important to select the right fit for your recovery journey in Illinois and Chicago:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone is welcome to attend, including friends and family. This setting encourages open participation and education about addiction and recovery. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who have a desire to stop using drugs. This setting fosters privacy and confidentiality for members actively working on recovery. |
- Arrive early, about 10-15 minutes prior to the meeting start time, and introduce yourself to the meeting secretary or greeter as a new local member.
- Sharing your experiences is encouraged if you feel comfortable, but there is no obligation to speak during the meeting.
- At your first meeting, you may receive a welcome keychain tag celebrating your first clean time milestone.
NA Welcome Keychain Tag Milestones
- 30 days: Recognition of the first month of sobriety, an important foundational milestone.
- 60 days: Demonstrates continued commitment and progress in staying clean.
- 90 days: Marks the significant three-month achievement in recovery.
- 6 months: Half a year of sobriety, showing deeper stability and growth.
- 9 months: Progress nearing a full year of continuous recovery.
- 1 year: A major milestone symbolizing a full year of abstinence and personal development in recovery.
- 18 months and beyond: Recognition of sustained recovery and dedication to the NA principles.