What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship of people who suffer from drug addiction, providing a support group for those recovering from substance abuse. This free program offers regular group meetings held in cities across the US, including multiple locations in Georgia, Gwinnett, and Lawrenceville, USA, where members gather to share experiences and support one another’s recovery.
341 South Main Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 (Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church)
This location hosts open discussion meetings on Monday at 7:30 PM, Tuesday at 7:30 PM, and Thursday at 7:30 PM. These meetings focus on participants sharing personal experiences related to addiction and recovery in a supportive environment, allowing newcomers to listen and engage as they feel comfortable.
319 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046 (Just For Today Group Lawrenceville / Saint Lawrence Catholic Church)
Meetings here include the Just For Today Group with a weekly schedule, alongside open discussion sessions available multiple days. Attendees participate in structured discussions on recovery topics, fostering a sense of community and mutual aid for those in Georgia, Gwinnett, and Lawrenceville areas.
737 Moon Road, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046 (Unlimited Hope Group / Vaders Group)
This venue features the Unlimited Hope Group on Saturday at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Wednesday at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, plus Vaders Group on Monday at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM. These sessions emphasize hope, truth-sharing, and group support, providing detailed personal stories and practical recovery strategies in an open format.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of NA form the core program guiding members toward recovery, aiming to motivate positive change across Georgia, Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, USA. Each step builds on the previous, encouraging spiritual growth, accountability, and ongoing sobriety.
- We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step requires honest self-assessment, recognizing the limits of personal control over addiction. It sets the foundation for humility and openness in recovery.
- We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Members begin to trust in a higher power tailored to their beliefs, shifting reliance from self to something greater. This fosters hope and a new perspective on life’s challenges.
- We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrender and commitment to spiritual principles. It promotes willingness to follow guidance beyond individual efforts.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Participants list strengths, resentments, fears, and harms done, promoting self-awareness. This detailed process uncovers patterns contributing to addiction.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Confession builds integrity and relieves guilt through sharing. It deepens connections in the NA fellowship.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness prepares the mind for change, accepting imperfections without defensiveness. This step cultivates patience for transformation.
- We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Humility drives this request for divine aid in overcoming flaws. It marks a pivotal shift toward improved behavior and relationships.
- We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Inventorying harms done prompts accountability and empathy. Willingness heals past damages and prevents future ones.
- We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Action-oriented, this step involves sincere apologies and restitution. It restores self-respect and mends social ties.
- We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-monitoring maintains progress and prevents relapse. Daily practice ensures continuous growth.
- 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. Spiritual practices enhance intuition and strength. This sustains daily living in 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. Service to others solidifies personal recovery. It extends NA’s mission locally and globally.
Getting Started with NA in Georgia, Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, USA
People can search for meetings on wfmh.org to find local meetings in their area as the best variant. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In Georgia, Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, USA, NA offers open and closed meetings to suit different needs. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in recovery, while closed meetings are for those identifying as addicts only.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Accessible to non-addicts, supporters, and family; focus on sharing recovery stories and education for broader understanding of NA principles. |
| Closed Meetings | Exclusively for individuals with drug addiction issues; provide confidential space for addicts to discuss personal struggles without outsiders. |
Arrive early to your first meeting and introduce yourself as a new local member. Share your experiences if comfortable, and receive welcome keychain tags at the first meeting.
- 30 days: Bronze keychain tag awarded for initial commitment, symbolizing one month of clean time and dedication to the program.
- 60 days: Silver keychain tag recognizing two months of sustained sobriety, encouraging continued participation in steps and meetings.
- 1 year: Gold keychain tag celebrating a full year clean, marking significant milestone with sharing personal testimony often encouraged.
- 18 months: Special tag for ongoing progress, reinforcing long-term habits like sponsorship and service within NA.
- 2 years: Advanced milestone tag honoring extended recovery, highlighting application of principles in daily life.