New York Substance Abuse Recovery Resources

Recovery from drugs or alcohol is a lifetime commitment. Maintaining a drug-free lifestyle can be challenging without help and support. But you can’t stay at rehab forever. Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, is a 12-step program that’s similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. It offers ongoing, free support for anyone who wants to find freedom from a substance abuse disorder.

You might be new to this type of group. Or perhaps you’ve been to NA meetings Long Island and want to find a new one. Maybe you’re doing some research before staging an intervention for a friend. Understanding what NA meetings are all about can help you make the most of the experience.

What Is NA?

Founded in 1953, NA is an offshoot of AA. Whereas AA is geared toward supporting people in their recovery from alcohol, NA offers 12-step groups for people who have struggled with an addiction to any substance, including alcohol.

The program is run as a fellowship. It doesn’t have a boss or president, although a central organization does ensure that the publications and pins are available to different chapters. Each meeting is led by peers who are in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Members are encouraged to provide service by sharing, leading meetings or becoming sponsors.

Who Goes to NA Meetings?

Anyone can go to NA meetings. You don’t need an official diagnosis or intervention. If you feel as though you’re having trouble with drug or alcohol use, you can attend any NA meetings on Long Island. In fact, the only prerequisite for membership is a desire to stop using.

Closed meetings are intended for people who have an addiction. The group asks that you don’t bring friends or family members to these meetings unless they have also struggled with addiction and want to recover.

Anyone can attend open meetings. If you have never been to a meeting and want to bring a friend or family member for moral support, consider going to an open meeting. Your loved one will typically be asked to refrain from sharing. However, you are free to share, and your support person can gain a great deal by listening to other people’s stories.

Are NA Meetings an Alternative to Treatment?

It’s difficult to measure the value of a 12-step program. NA helps many people fight cravings, form deep connections with people, find community, express their emotions and maintain their recovery. But you need to find your own path.

In most cases, NA meetings won’t be effective on their own. You can’t process the information and insights that are offered if you are under the influence. In addition, your body can’t heal from the addiction if you haven’t eliminated the drugs from your system.

But detox is only the first step in recovery. Undergoing professional treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders helps you understand the addiction, learn coping skills, shift your mindset and transform your life.

NA offers complimentary benefits, which include:

• Accountability
• Spirituality
• Peer support
• Encouragement
• Self-awareness
• Compassion

How Is NA Different Than Group Therapy?

If you have attended group therapy as part of your treatment and liked it, you might benefit from NA meetings on Long Island. But you should understand the differences between group therapy and 12-step programs.

NA meetings aren’t about giving advice. Facilitators and members usually avoid commenting on their experiences altogether. Instead, it’s a place for you to express your challenges, setbacks, and successes.

The emphasis at NA meetings is on solutions. Instead of doing a deep dive into your history, traumas or triggers, you are urged to focus on ways to foster a positive lifestyle. In a sense, it’s the mental shift between the feeling you get when you say, “I can’t afford that” versus “how might I be able to pay for that?” At NA, you ask, “How can I heal?” instead of “Why can’t I get out of this hole?”

Group therapy and NA meetings are both beneficial, but for different reasons. Many people in recovery on Long Island attend both.

What Happens at NA Meetings Long Island?

NA meetings are casual, but structured gatherings. You’ll typically be greeted by the person who is running the meeting that day. You may be welcomed by some members. You’ll be offered a place to sit, and you can socialize as much or as little as you’d like before the meeting starts.

During the meeting, you’ll recite at least one of the 12 steps. Someone will usually read from the basic text. You’ll usually be offered a booklet or handout from which to read along.

Members are often asked to share. You might discuss a particular topic, or a speaker may offer inspirational words.

Every meeting is conducted differently. Sometimes, they have themes. Other times, they’re more like open forums. Attending different NA meetings on Long Island can give you an idea of the format that you like best.

What Are the Rules at NA Meetings?

The facilitator will share the rules for each meeting before it begins. However, a few general rules that are upheld at most NA meetings include:

• Don’t interrupt or comment on other people’s shares.
• Personal sharing is voluntary.
• Share only your first name.
• Don’t share details about attendance or anything else outside of the meetings.
• Don’t discuss issues that aren’t related to your personal recovery journey.

It’s frowned upon to attend NA meetings if you’re intoxicated. However, many groups understand that you need support the most when you have relapsed. If you have nowhere else to turn, you may still be able to attend the meeting as long as you’re not disruptive. You may be asked not to share during that session, however.

How will NA Meetings Help?

Everyone has a different relationship with their addiction and recovery process. Therefore, NA meetings have distinct benefits for everyone. However, there are some generalities.

NA meetings can provide a structure for you when everything in your life is upside down. If you commit to attending meetings, you know where you’ll be during those times. You’ll have something consistent on your schedule to plan for. It’s like getting up and going to work every day. However, that’s not always easy during recovery. Although it can feel challenging to attend NA meetings, you may find relief in the fact that all you have to do is show up.

You may feel some accountability for attending the meetings. Other members may encourage you to attend next time because they enjoy seeing you. If you connect with a sponsor, they will offer deeper support and accountability beyond the meetings.

Sharing your experience and learning from others can help you stay sober. You may pick up on coping skills that you hadn’t thought about or learn insights that foster success in recovery.

Tips for Attending NA Meetings on Long Island

You may be nervous before you head to your first NA meeting or try a different group. You’ll get to know the culture and etiquette of the group as you attend meetings. But these tips might make it easier to understand what to expect.

• Give yourself enough time – Arrive early so that you can introduce yourself, find a comfortable seat, and get any information that’s offered before the meeting starts. Sometimes, participants will socialize in the meeting space after it ends.
• Ask how you can help – Service is important in NA. Ask how you can help. You might be able to put chairs away after the meeting or bring coffee to the next one.
• Limit your sharing – Although you should feel free to express yourself, share only once per meeting, and respect any time limits.
• Don’t share drug use details – Members are usually asked to avoid specific details about drug use, which could trigger other participants.
• Don’t feel pressured – You don’t have to share, offer assistance or contribute in any way. Everyone’s journey is different, and getting yourself to a meeting is the most important part. NA understands that you need to go through recovery at your own pace.

Taking the Next Steps

Finding a meeting brings up many emotions. You may be excited about connecting with acquaintances, encouraged by deepening friendships, or flustered by the idea of trying something new. Although facilitators and members do their best to make every meeting as welcoming and easeful as possible, you may feel uncomfortable at NA meetings.

Don’t give up. Doing something new is often uncomfortable because it takes us away from the comfort of the familiar. Going to meetings can make you feel vulnerable. But as long as the meetings are safe and supportive, you should give them a chance.

Find NA meetings on Long Island using the Narcotics Anonymous meeting search function. If you don’t like the vibe at your first meeting, try it again. Attend a different location at another time. Bring a friend. Making NA work for you can go a long way in steering you through a lasting recovery.