What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that provides a support network for individuals who are struggling with drug addiction. Founded in the 1950s, NA has grown to offer over 70,000 meetings worldwide, helping people in recovery from drug addiction through mutual support and fellowship. NA follows a 12-step program, offering individuals a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges in a non-judgmental, supportive environment. The program is free and has regular meetings in many cities, including Santa Rosa. To find a local meeting in Santa Rosa, you can visit https://www.methadone.org/rehabs/california/sonoma/santa-rosa/.
Santa Rosa Narcotics Anonymous Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held at various locations in Santa Rosa. These meetings allow people to share their recovery stories, experience, and receive support from others who have gone through similar situations. The meetings welcome all people who have a desire to stop using drugs, no matter how serious the addiction may be.
Santa Rosa Church of Christ
- Address: 1425 Sonoma Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
- Meeting Times: Every Monday at 7:00 PM
- Details: This is a traditional NA meeting that includes readings from NA literature, sharing of personal experiences, and time for open discussion. The church offers a friendly and quiet atmosphere where participants can reflect and share.
Redwood Gospel Mission
- Address: 101 6th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
- Meeting Times: Every Wednesday at 8:00 PM
- Details: Held at the Redwood Gospel Mission, this meeting is focused on offering support to those who are working through the challenges of addiction. The group follows the 12-step process and allows participants to share openly in a confidential setting. The mission offers a safe and comfortable space for those seeking recovery.
Santa Rosa Community Center
- Address: 1751 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
- Meeting Times: Fridays, 6:30 PM
- Details: A step-study meeting is a type of meeting in which members work on specific steps of the 12-step program each week. The Santa Rosa Community Center is a neutral venue that offers a peaceful setting for personal reflection and group discussion. Meetings include both group sharing and structured discussions, providing a well-rounded approach to recovery.
Methods and Details About the Meetings
- 12-Step Program: All meetings in Santa Rosa are based on the 12-step program, which emphasizes spiritual development, mutual support, and recovery.
- Open Format: Meetings are open to all who desire to overcome the problem of drug addiction, whether at the beginning or later stages of recovery.
- Anonymity: The meetings assure confidentiality for their participants, so the sharing of personal experiences will not be disclosed outside the meeting.
- No Fees: The meetings are all free of charge and open to all people needing this service. An offering may be made by the participant if he so desires, but nobody is ever denied the opportunity for lack of payment.
- Attendance Diversity: The NA meetings in Santa Rosa accept people from all walks of life; their doors are open to serve anyone suffering from addiction, whether just starting or those many years into their recovery journey.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 steps of NA give a clear-cut basis on which to work the recovery process. The steps themselves are designed to help participants move toward spiritual growth and self-improvement with the primary goal of long-term sobriety. Each step serves to encourage personal reflection, accountability, and a deeper connectedness to a supportive community. Here’s an overview of the 12 steps:
We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Admitting the loss of control in addiction is the first step toward recovery.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Accepting the belief that one has to seek help from an entity stronger than oneself in order to regain health.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Surrendering personal control and trusting in a higher power for guidance and strength.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Reflecting on personal behaviors and actions to identify areas of growth and improvement.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Coming out in the open to admit all past mistakes, for which healing needed to be initiated.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Becoming fully open to change and self-improvement through the power of a higher force.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Requesting help from a higher power to address personal flaws and negative traits.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Taking responsibility for actions that have hurt others and preparing to make amends.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Actively working to repair relationships and undo harm caused by addiction.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Dedication to ongoing self-assessment and honesty as part of recovery.
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.
Improving spiritual practice to better maintain clarity, direction, and purpose.
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.
Passing on the message of recovery to others and incorporating the principles of the program into daily life.
Getting Started with NA in Santa Rosa
The first step to getting started with Narcotics Anonymous in Santa Rosa is to locate meetings in your area. You can easily locate meeting locations and times using the meeting search tool on Methadone.org. This website offers a comprehensive list of NA meetings across the city, making sure you can find one that fits your schedule.
In-Person and Online Meetings
NA in Santa Rosa offers both in-person and online/virtual meetings to accommodate a wide range of individuals. In-person meetings provide the opportunity to connect with others face-to-face, fostering a supportive community environment. On the other hand, online meetings offer flexibility and accessibility for those who cannot attend in person due to distance, health concerns, or other reasons. Many of the virtual meetings also follow the same 12-step format as the in-person sessions so that participants get the same level of support.
Types of Meetings
NA meetings in Santa Rosa are further divided into various meeting types to be able to meet the varied needs of those in recovery. Two common types are open and closed meetings:
Open Meetings
- Open to all individuals, whether they are in recovery or just interested in learning more about the program.
- A place of welcome for friends, family, and anyone who wants to learn more about addiction and recovery.
Closed Meetings
- Limited to those who have a desire to stop using drugs.
- These meetings provide a secure environment where members can discuss their issues and share with one another free from outside observers.
| Meeting Type | Description | Open to Public? |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone who wants to learn more about or support NA. | Yes |
| Closed Meetings | Reserved for those who have a desire to stop using drugs. | No |
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in Santa Rosa, it’s recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the meeting structure and begin to feel comfortable in the group. Members are generally very supportive of newcomers, making it a welcoming space for all.
Sharing Your Experiences
At the first meeting, you can share if and when you are ready to do so. Of course, no one has to share; it’s perfectly fine to just listen for the first few meetings until you get used to the atmosphere. Many people find it helpful and a powerful way to be heard and supported, but it’s up to you if and when you feel ready.
Welcome Keychain Tags
In honor of your dedication to your recovery, you will be given a key tag at your first meeting. The following key tags commemorate the significant moments in your recovery and will help remind you of where you’ve been.
Keychain Tag Milestones:
- 30 Days: Your first month clean and sober.
- 60 Days: Two months clean and sober.
- 1 Year: Your one-year benchmark of continuous recovery.
- Anniversary Milestones: Each subsequent year.
These milestones are celebrated within the NA community and provide encouragement to keep going on your path of long-term recovery.