SAN FRANCISCO NA Meetings, Counseling, & Support

Find Local Help & Support Near You

Find Bay Area, SF Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings

What is Narcotics Anonymous (NA)?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a community-based, global organization that was created to help people with addictions to drugs. The NA program was started in 1953 as a result of the success Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) had helping people addicted to alcohol. Since then, the program, number of members, and the number of meetings has increased exponentially. Currently, there are over 61,000 meetings in more than 130 countries, with NA literature translated into about 60 languages. Members of NA are offered recovery from the effects of drug addiction by working the 12 steps and regularly attending meetings. NA is a safe, nonjudgmental environment for anyone who wants to get and stay clean and sober.

The name Narcotics Anonymous isn’t meant to suggest a focus on any specific drug. Rather, NA makes no distinction between substances, including alcohol. Members do not have to pay any membership fees or dues, the program is free and welcomes anyone struggling with an addiction from which they want to recover.

How Does the Narcotics Anonymous Program Work?

NA is a straightforward, simple (though not easy) program. It is considered to be a spiritual, not religious approach to getting clean and sober. Members do not have to believe in God to attend and find success in the program. NA teaches the disease-model of addiction and promotes complete abstinence from any mood-altering substances and working the 12 steps.

NA works in the following ways:

Members make a commitment to not use drugs, one day at a time, no matter what.
Members go to meetings regularly. The meetings last one hour and they start and end on time. There are meetings around the world, schedules can be found online, or members can pick up a list of local schedules at the meetings they attend. There are also NA meetings conducted online.
Members get a sponsor. A sponsor is an individual who helps an individual work through the 12 steps of NA. Sponsors should have a longer period of sobriety than the people they help, and they should have already worked the steps themselves.
Members work the 12 steps with a sponsor and apply the principles they learn to their daily lives.
Members become part of a community of recovery in which they receive and give support to other people who are also in recovery. They stay connected to stay clean and sober.

Finding an NA Meeting in the Bay Area

With more than 61,000 Narcotics Anonymous meetings every week worldwide – many in the Bay Area – individuals can find meetings to attend just about anywhere at any time. Anyone who is suffering with a drug or alcohol addiction that they want to recover from is welcome at NA. In meetings, they will find the experience, strength, and hope they need to begin living a new, drug-free life.