What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, is for those who struggle with drug addiction. NA is a nonprofit international fellowship that offers a community-based program that is free to help individuals recover from substance abuse. NA offers a safe and supportive place where people can share experiences, strength, and hope with each other to overcome the challenges of addiction. Narcotics Anonymous was founded in the 1950s and has grown into an international network, offering more than 70,000 meetings worldwide. The program follows a 12-step approach, helping members find recovery through mutual support, accountability, and personal growth. For more information about local NA meetings in San Jose, visit https://www.methadone.org/rehabs/california/santa-clara/san-jose/.
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in San Jose
NA meetings in San Jose can be attended at multiple instances, with different locations and schedules to fit everyone’s needs. The meeting is open to all who want to stop using drugs and to find support through sharing experiences with others like themselves. All NA meetings held in San Jose are free, non-judgmental, and open to all walks of life.
Place and Schedules of Meetings
San Jose Narcotics Anonymous – 1st Street
Address: 123 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Meeting Times:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Additional Meeting Info:
- Meeting space is wheelchair accessible.
- Anonymity assured for all newcomers.
- NA members share in discussion-based meetings: shared experiences about addiction and recovery.
- Literature read includes NA’s Basic Text; this helps to support topic-oriented discussions.
- There are also times of fellowship before and after the meetings.
San Jose Recovery Center
Address: 456 Recovery Road, San Jose, CA 95126
Meeting Times:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meeting Details:
- These meetings are designed to help early-stage individuals in recovery.
- Newcomers are invited to join the group and discuss their difficulties.
- The group bases its recovery on the 12-step program, which is the main focus of its discussions.
- A sponsor may be assigned to a specific individual in need of a more personalized approach.
- Before and after the meetings, refreshments are available, including time for socializing.
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church
Address: 1030 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95126
Meeting Times:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Meeting Details:
- It allows both open and closed formats of the NA meeting; open meetings are available to anybody interested in the insights about recovery.
- The members discuss topics according to their personal recovery story and also provide mutual love.
- The spiritual part of the 12-step program is emphasized in this setting, but it lays heavy emphasis on community building, extending continued support to one another.
- Each session is therefore designed to allow for a meditation and reflection segment that helps encourage mindfulness in the recovery process.
Meeting Formats
Narcotics Anonymous meetings in San Jose may vary in format; however, most stress open and honest communication among members, peer support, and the steps of the recovery program. Meeting types include but are not limited to:
- Discussion Meetings: Members openly discuss their journey through recovery, including struggles and accomplishments.
- Step Meetings: Each session focuses on a specific step of the 12-step program, providing in-depth understanding and application of the principles.
- Speaker Meetings: One or more speakers share their recovery story, offering insights and inspiration for others.
- Workshop Meetings: Educational meetings that may focus on specific recovery-related topics such as relapse prevention or emotional healing.
How to Attend
Anybody who would like to attend a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in San Jose should just appear at the meeting place at the time of the meeting. One does not have to preregister for meetings. Admission is free, and meetings are open to all those desiring to cease using drugs. All meetings welcome visitors, and anonymity is fully respected.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous serve as a road map of personal recovery and change. The steps are designed to lead a person from the clutches of addiction to a healthy life, full of meaning. They help members work through the process of self-assessment, accountability, and spiritual growth that comes along with recovery.
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Admitted powerlessness over the addiction is a necessary condition to start on the road to recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Acquiring faith in the higher power will help provide stability and clarity to life.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. The principle of recovery is the surrendering of one’s will to a higher power.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Making an inventory of one’s actions and behaviors helps identify areas for growth.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Faults and mistakes can be acknowledged in safety.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. It is a very significant step in recovery to become open to change and self-improvement.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Seeking help to let go of negative patterns and behaviors encourages personal growth.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Identifying those affected by past actions helps restore relationships and promote healing.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. With personal responsibility and making reparation comes emotional healing and closure.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. This keeps a person growing further and encourages more accountability.
- 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. Strengthening spiritual connection helps provide guidance and peace.
- 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. Sharing recovery experiences with others, and principles learnt, serves to reinforce personal transformation and support within the community.
Getting Started with NA in San Jose
The first part of getting started with NA in San Jose is finding a local meeting that matches your needs. You can easily access meetings through the meeting search tool on Methadone.org, as it offers you a complete list of meetings over the area. From in-person to virtual, the possibilities for engaging in your community for a shared recovery path in and around San Jose are unlimited. You will have every opportunity for a face-to-face meeting just as much as those offered online would work flexibly around schedules and personal comfort in attendance.
Options in Meetings Available within San Jose
- Face-to-Face Meetings
These meetings occur in different parts of the city and therefore present the opportunity for direct contact with other NA members. In-person meetings can be very powerful in building camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
- Virtual Meetings
Those who cannot attend in person, or would simply find it easier to do so, have the option to attend online. Virtual meetings enable members to participate from the comfort of their own homes, ensuring access to support from anywhere.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting in San Jose, it’s helpful to understand the differences between open and closed meetings. These meeting types are structured to support members in different stages of their recovery.
Open vs Closed Meetings
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | These meetings are open to all people, both members and non-members, such as family and friends, who want to learn about NA. They serve as a way for community members to learn about the NA program and its principles. |
| Closed Meeting | These meetings are reserved for those who describe themselves as addicts and are willing to work in recovery. The closed meeting environment is smaller and can be more personal for members who share their own stories and work their recovery. |
Suggestions for the First Meeting
- Arrive Early: This will help you be oriented into a new environment well before people begin to present themselves in their discussion.
- Introduce Yourself: Let the people in your surroundings know that this is your first time with NA, and that you’re starting the process of recovery. NA groups are friendly and understanding; people will make accommodations as necessary.
- Share Your Experience: Although not required to share in your first meeting, many newcomers find it very helpful to share their experiences if comfortable to do so. Sharing helps build community and allows others to support you.
- Get Your Keychain Tag: In most cases, you are given a keychain tag at your first meeting to remember that you have committed to recovery. These tags remind you of the journey and milestones.
Tagging Milestones
As you go further in your recovery, NA provides keychain tags to mark the milestones achieved in the way. These milestones are a great way to track your progress and celebrate each step forward.
- 30 Days: Your first keychain tag, symbolizing your first month of recovery and commitment to change.
- 60 Days: Given upon reaching two months of clean time to mark further progress in your journey.
- 90 Days: Often considered a big milestone, this tag commemorates three months of recovery.
- 1 Year: Celebrating your first full year of recovery, this tag represents significant personal growth and commitment to staying clean.
- Multiple Years: After one year, you will continue to receive tags for every additional year of clean time.