What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. The organization provides a support network where members regularly meet to help each other stay clean and recover from drug addiction. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, NA operates across the United States, including in cities such as Modesto, Stanislaus County, California, with details available at https://www.methadone.org/na/california/stanislaus/modesto/.
This program is free to attend and offers regular group meetings where members share their experiences and support one another. Across Modesto and the surrounding areas, a variety of NA meetings are accessible to those seeking help and lasting recovery.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Address: 1525 22nd St, Modesto, CA 95350
- Monday – Friday at 12:00 pm (open meeting): Daily noon sessions provide a welcoming environment where newcomers and returning members gather for open discussion, sharing personal recovery stories and mutual encouragement.
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): Evening meetings allow participants to connect after daytime responsibilities, featuring guided group discussions that focus on key recovery principles and peer-to-peer support.
- Saturday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): Weekend gatherings emphasize social support in a relaxed setting, encouraging members to exchange experiences and foster community bonds.
The Bridge Covenant Church
Address: 2316 Scenic Dr, Modesto, CA 95350
- Sunday at 6:00 pm (open meeting): Weekly Sunday sessions provide a spiritual and supportive atmosphere for members to reflect on their recovery journey and set goals for the coming week.
- Monday at 6:00 pm (open meeting): Early-week meetings focus on motivation and resilience, where participants offer encouragement and strategies to maintain sobriety.
- Friday at 6:00 pm (open meeting): Friday night meetings serve as a positive way to start the weekend, blending fellowship and practical advice for overcoming challenges.
The Salvation Army Modesto Citadel Corps
Address: 625 I St, Modesto, CA 95354
- Monday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): Monday evening meets bring together a diverse group, promoting accountability through open sharing and communal support.
- Tuesday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): The Tuesday meetings are structured to help members deepen their understanding of recovery steps with focused discussions.
- Thursday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): Thursday meetings provide an opportunity to review progress and renew commitments in a trusting environment.
- Saturday at 6:30 pm (open meeting): Weekend sessions encourage social connection and collective motivation heading into the new week.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. Recognizing the loss of control is the first step toward recovery and acceptance of the need for help.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step fosters hope that recovery is possible through spiritual or personal growth beyond oneself.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members commit to trusting a higher power to guide their recovery journey.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This self-examination identifies personal flaws and behaviors that contribute to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Open confession helps relieve secrecy and shame, building accountability and honesty.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare to let go of negative traits that hinder recovery.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step emphasizes humility and trust in change through spiritual intervention.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Recognizing the impact of past actions promotes responsibility and healing.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members actively repair relationships while maintaining sensitivity to others’ well-being.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-assessment helps maintain recovery and prevent relapse.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out. This step deepens spiritual connection and commitment to recovery principles.
- 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. Members share their experience to help others and live by the values learned.
Getting Started with NA in California, Stanislaus, Modesto, USA
The best way to find local NA meetings throughout California, including Stanislaus County and Modesto, is to search on methadone.org. This site offers the most accurate and up-to-date listings of both in-person and online meetings available in most locations.
NA meetings provide flexible participation options, allowing members to choose between attending physical groups or virtual gatherings, depending on personal convenience and preference.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first meeting in Modesto or the surrounding areas, it helps to understand the difference between open and closed meetings:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone interested in recovery, including family and friends of addicts, may attend. These sessions often include guest speakers and group discussions. |
| Closed Meeting | Attendance is limited to individuals who identify themselves as addicts seeking recovery. This provides a confidential environment specifically for members. |
It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new local member to meet the group and receive guidance. Sharing your personal experiences is optional and encouraged only when you feel comfortable. Many attendees receive welcome keychain tags during their first meeting as tokens of encouragement and milestones in their recovery journey.
- 30 Days Tag: Recognizes the first month of continuous sobriety, symbolizing initial commitment and progress.
- 60 Days Tag: Marks two months clean, encouraging persistence and strength.
- 1 Year Tag: Highlights a significant achievement marking sustained recovery over twelve months.
- Additional Milestones: Tags are also awarded for 18 months, 2 years, 5 years, and longer, celebrating ongoing dedication.