Narcotic Anonymous Meetings in North Carolina, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, USA

What is NA?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global support group designed to help individuals struggling with drug addiction. Available in cities across the United States, including North Carolina, Mecklenburg, and Charlotte, many participants seeking local resources often refer to charlotte na meetings for information on meeting times and locations. NA offers a free, community-based program with regular group meetings. These meetings provide a platform for members to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes as they work towards overcoming addiction.

Midwood Baptist Church

Located at 1817 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, Midwood Baptist Church hosts NA meetings as follows: Mondays at 7:00 PM for open discussion, Wednesdays at 7:00 PM for step study, and Fridays at 7:00 PM for newcomer meetings. These meetings offer a supportive environment where attendees can engage in discussions and learn from one another’s experiences.

The open discussion meetings allow members to share their thoughts and feelings freely, while the step study focuses on understanding and applying the 12 Steps of NA. Newcomer meetings are particularly beneficial for those attending for the first time, as they introduce the basics of the program.

St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church

Located at 1600 Norris Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church hosts NA meetings as follows: Tuesdays at 7:00 PM for open discussion, Thursdays at 7:00 PM for topic discussion, and Saturdays at 10:00 AM for Just for Today study. These meetings provide diverse formats to engage members and cater to different learning styles.

The Just for Today study, for instance, focuses on the daily reflections and meditations from NA’s literature, helping members to stay grounded in their recovery through daily affirmations.

Providence United Methodist Church

Located at 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211, Providence United Methodist Church hosts NA meetings as follows: Sundays at 6:00 PM for speaker meetings, Wednesdays at 12:00 PM for open discussion, and Fridays at 8:00 PM for candlelight meetings. Speaker meetings feature a member sharing their personal story of recovery, inspiring others with their journey.

The open discussion meetings here provide a space for members to share their experiences and receive support from others, while the candlelight meetings offer a serene and reflective atmosphere, often concluding with a period of silence and contemplation.

The 12 Steps of NA

The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous are a set of principles designed to motivate members toward positive change and recovery. Here is a detailed look at each step:

We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step involves acknowledging the inability to control one’s addiction and recognizing how it has affected daily life. It is a crucial step in accepting the need for help and support.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step focuses on developing a belief in a higher power that can aid in recovery. It’s about trusting in forces beyond personal control to help bring sanity back into one’s life.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Here, members commit to surrendering their will and lives to a higher power, as they understand it. This step is about letting go of personal control and trusting in a higher guidance.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. In this step, individuals conduct a thorough examination of their past actions and behaviors, acknowledging both positive and negative aspects. It is about gaining self-awareness and understanding the impact of past choices.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This involves confessing past wrongs to a trusted individual, which helps in building trust and accountability. It is a cleansing process that promotes personal growth.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Here, members prepare themselves to let go of their character defects, trusting that their higher power will help them overcome these flaws.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step is about asking for help to overcome personal shortcomings. It involves humility and a willingness to change.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. In this step, individuals list those they have harmed and prepare themselves to make amends. It is about taking responsibility for past actions.
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take action to make amends to those they have harmed, avoiding situations that could cause further injury.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This step encourages ongoing self-reflection and accountability, acknowledging mistakes as soon as they occur and making amends quickly.
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. Here, members use prayer and meditation to deepen their connection with a higher power and seek guidance on their actions.
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. This final step is about sharing the journey of recovery with others and applying the principles learned in daily life.

Getting Started with NA in North Carolina, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, USA

To find local NA meetings in North Carolina, Mecklenburg, and Charlotte, the best resource is to search on specific websites dedicated to NA meetings, although for the purpose of this article, we recommend using general resources like North Carolina Region of Narcotics Anonymous for comprehensive meeting lists.

Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available, offering flexibility for those seeking support. In-person meetings provide face-to-face interaction, which can be particularly beneficial for building strong support networks, while online meetings cater to those who prefer a more private setting or have accessibility issues.

Attending Your First Local NA Meeting

When attending your first NA meeting, it’s important to understand the different types of meetings available. Below is a table explaining the main types:

Meeting Type	Description
Open Meetings	Open to anyone interested in attending, including non-addicts. These meetings are often used for education and support.
Closed Meetings	Restricted to addicts only or those who believe they may have a problem with drugs. These meetings are more focused on personal sharing and support.

It’s advisable to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. Sharing your experiences can be beneficial if you feel comfortable doing so. Many groups offer welcome keychain tags to new attendees, which mark milestones in their recovery journey:

30 Days: Typically marked with a keychain or chip to celebrate the first month of sobriety.
60 Days: Recognizes two months of sobriety, further encouraging members to continue their journey.
1 Year: A significant milestone, marking one year of continuous sobriety and commitment to recovery.

These milestones serve as motivational reminders of progress and achievements in the recovery process.