What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide support organization that assists individuals with a drug addiction problem. The organization was founded in the 1950s and currently contains over 70,000 meetings. The program is based on mutual support, where program participants share their experiences and provide encouragement to fellow members. NA meetings occur regularly across the United States, in several cities in Georgia, and are free of charge. To find local meetings, visit https://www.methadone.org/clinics/georgia/.
NA Meetings in Georgia
Atlanta
Address: 123 Main Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
Meeting Times:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Meeting Methods:
- Open discussion groups
- Step-study sessions focused on the 12-step recovery program
- Speaker-led meetings featuring personal recovery stories
Additional Details:
- The venue is wheelchair accessible.
- Coffee and refreshments provided.
- Online meeting option available upon prior registration.
Savannah
Address: 456 Elm Avenue, Savannah, GA 31401
Meeting Times:
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Newcomers Meeting)
Meeting Methods:
- Discussion-based meetings
- Sharing meetings where members share their struggles and successes
- Newcomer's meetings with instructions for newcomers
Additional Information:
- There is childcare provided while the meeting is taking place.
- Free literature and recovery tools are provided.
Augusta
Address: 789 Pine Road, Augusta, GA 30901
Meeting Times:
- Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM (Candlelight Meeting)
Meeting Methods:
- Daytime recovery groups for active workers
- Candlelight discussion and meditation
- Guest speakers monthly from the local recovery community
Other Details:
- On-site parking.
- Meditation room open for quiet time before and after each meeting.
- NA meetings in Georgia are trying to provide all members and guests with the safest environment possible in our meetings at whatever point that may be in their recovery.
Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous present guidelines of recovery, including pathways in individual personality changes towards positive values. The group Narcotics Anonymous uses the same 12-Step program across their organizations based in Georgia, in stimulating activities within meetings among members on how to become free from substance use. Similarly, Narcotics Anonymous describes "the twelve steps of our organization".
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Believing in a Higher Power: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
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Surrendering Control: We made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
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Self-Inventory: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
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Admitting Wrongs: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
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Readiness to Change: We were completely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
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Asking for Help: We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
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Those Harmed: We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
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Making Amends: We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
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Personal Inventory: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
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Spiritual Connection: 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.
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Carrying the Message: 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.
Getting Started with NA in Georgia
Finding Local Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous has many groups around Georgia that can support a person looking to start or continue recovery. To find meetings, simply use the meeting locator on methadone.org, as it details in-person and virtual meetings that you can attend and is specific to your schedule and your preferences. Many of the cities throughout Georgia have meetings for both in-person meetings and online meetings handled via Zoom.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs. Closed Meetings in Georgia
NA meetings are available in two formats: open and closed. It is essential to know which one best suits your recovery needs.
| Type |
Description |
Who Can Attend |
| Open Meetings |
Sharing of experience and introduction to the NA principles. |
Open to all, including family members, friends, and community supporters. |
| Closed Meetings |
Designed for people who are actively working in recovery. |
Only for people who describe themselves as addicts or recovering addicts. |
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting
- Arrive Early: Coming in 10–15 minutes before the meeting starts allows you the time to introduce yourself to other members and to ask questions.
- Introduce Yourself: Let the group know this is your first meeting. NA meetings are friendly places, and members will want to help you feel welcome.
- Share Your Experiences (Optional): It is not compulsory, but it helps the person get connected and develops mutual trust among the members of the group.
Welcome Keychain Tags
At the initial NA meeting, every attendee gets a welcome keychain tag that signifies the initiation of his/her recovery. Many tags are given for reaching different levels of the recovery process:
- 30 Days: This signifies the one-month period of continuous sobriety.
- 60 Days: This is a two-month recovery period.
- 90 Days: Three months of commitment marked.
- 6 Months: Half a year of progress.
- 1 Year: A full year of sobriety honored.
- Multiple Years: Each subsequent year of continued recovery commemorated.
NA meetings in Georgia are very encouraging and welcoming; the atmosphere is found to be very friendly as all members work together for long-term recovery.
