What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship designed to support individuals struggling with drug addiction. It consists of men and women who meet regularly to help each other maintain sobriety through a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. Membership is open to anyone with the desire to stop using, regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack thereof.
NA offers free support programs including regular group meetings held throughout cities across the United States, including multiple locations in Riverside, California. These meetings provide a safe, welcoming environment where members share experiences and encourage each other on the path to recovery.
Riverside Alano Club
Location: 2490 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
Meeting times: Monday to Friday at 12pm, 5:30pm, and 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 12pm, 6pm, and 8pm.
Meeting details: These are open discussion style meetings where members share their progress and struggles freely. The venue is wheelchair accessible, providing an inclusive setting for all participants.
Arlington Methodist Church
Location: 9350 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92509
Meeting times: Sunday at 6pm; Tuesday at 7pm.
Meeting details: This group hosts candlelight meetings that offer a calming atmosphere for reflection and sharing. The facility is also wheelchair accessible, ensuring easy access for all members.
First Christian Church
Location: 4055 Jurupa Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Meeting times: Monday and Friday at 7pm.
Meeting details: These meetings focus on literature study, providing structured readings and group discussions on NA principles. The church is wheelchair accessible to accommodate all participants.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Accepting powerlessness is the first step toward recovery, acknowledging the need for help beyond oneself.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages openness to spiritual growth and hope for change.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members trust in a higher power to guide their recovery journey.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This involves honest self-examination to identify past behaviors and patterns.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing faults openly helps release guilt and fosters humility.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members cultivate readiness to let go of harmful traits.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves seeking spiritual help to overcome personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognition of harm caused to others is essential for reconciliation.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking responsibility to repair relationships promotes healing.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-awareness supports sustained recovery.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. Spiritual practices reinforce commitment and guidance.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Members commit to helping others recover, maintaining their own sobriety in the process.
Getting Started with NA in California, Riverside, Riverside, USA
Individuals seeking support for drug addiction in Riverside can search for local NA meetings using the official website wfmh.org. This platform offers the most accurate and up-to-date information on meeting locations and times across California, including Riverside. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are commonly available in most locations to accommodate different needs and preferences.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in Riverside, it is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member. Sharing your personal experiences is welcomed but entirely voluntary. Attendees often receive welcome keychain tags to celebrate milestones in their recovery journey.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested, including addicts, family, friends, or observers. Members and non-members alike may attend, making these meetings ideal for first-timers wanting to understand NA. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who have a desire to stop using drugs. This space offers increased privacy and comfort for sharing personal experiences with peers in recovery. |
- 30 days: Initial milestone tag symbolizing the first month of continuous recovery.
- 60 days: Recognition of sustained commitment two months into sobriety.
- 1 year: Key milestone representing a full year of abstinence, often celebrated with a special medallion.
- Multiple years: Additional tags or medallions are offered for ongoing years of sobriety, celebrating long-term recovery achievements.