What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship composed of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. The group provides a free support system where members meet regularly to help each other stay clean and recover from drug addiction. NA meetings are held across many cities in the United States, including Riverside County, where resources such as MethadOne provide helpful information about local meeting schedules and support options, offering a safe environment to share experiences and work toward sobriety.
In California, Riverside, Riverside, NA meetings are available at various locations offering different meeting formats and schedules. These meetings are accessible to all who seek help and are conducted at no cost.
Riverside Alano Club
Address: 2490 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
Meetings Time and Details:
- Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 8:00 PM – These are open discussion style meetings where attendees openly share their experiences, challenges, and successes in recovery. The meetings provide peer support and follow a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
- Saturday: 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM – Similar format with open discussions, encouraging participation from new and seasoned members alike. The 8:00 PM meetings often have a relaxed tone conducive to reflection and mutual encouragement.
- Sunday: 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM – Weekend meetings maintain the open discussion format, offering vital weekend support and fellowship. The location is wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity.
Arlington Methodist Church
Address: 9350 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92509
Meetings Time and Details:
- Sunday: 6:00 PM – Candlelight meeting focused on reflective sharing, personal stories, and spiritual upliftment. These meetings often feature quieter, more intimate discussions with symbolic candle lighting to create a serene environment.
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM – Another candlelight format emphasizing personal recovery journeys and fostering hope through collective support. The church provides wheelchair accessibility to accommodate all attendees.
First Christian Church
Address: 4055 Jurupa Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Meetings Time and Details:
- Monday: 7:00 PM – Literature study meeting that focuses on reading and discussing NA texts, including the Basic Text and specific recovery literature. These meetings provide structured guidance for members exploring the foundations of NA principles.
- Friday: 7:00 PM – Literature study continues with close examination of NA-approved literature and group discussions to enhance understanding of the program. Wheelchair access is available to ensure accessibility.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step encourages members to acknowledge their lack of control over addiction and the chaos it causes in their lives, forming the basis for recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This fosters hope and the willingness to accept help beyond oneself, whether spiritual or through group support.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Commitment to trusting a higher power or support system, allowing members to release control and embrace guidance.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Self-examination of personal behaviors, motivations, and consequences to increase self-awareness and identify areas for growth.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Encourages honesty and sharing vulnerabilities to reduce shame and build accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Readiness to let go of negative behaviors and personality traits that hinder recovery.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Seeking humility and willingness to change through spiritual or communal support.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Accountability for past actions and preparation for reconciliation.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Taking concrete steps to repair relationships while being mindful of others' wellbeing.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-assessment and maintaining honesty to prevent relapse and encourage growth.
- 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. Developing spiritual practice for guidance and strength.
- 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. Commitment to helping others and living the program daily.
Getting Started with NA in California, Riverside, Riverside, USA
Individuals searching for local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Riverside are encouraged to use methadone.org as the primary and most reliable resource to find updated meeting locations and times. This website provides comprehensive listings of both in-person and online/virtual meetings available throughout Riverside County, ensuring accessibility regardless of personal circumstances.
Most NA meetings in Riverside offer a hybrid approach, with options for attending physically or joining via virtual platforms to accommodate different preferences and needs.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in Riverside come in two main types: open meetings and closed meetings. Understanding the difference between these can help newcomers choose the environment best suited to their comfort level and recovery stage.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Open to anyone interested in learning about or supporting recovery from addiction. Non-addicts, family members, and newcomers are welcome to attend and observe or participate. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to those who identify as addicts seeking recovery. These meetings focus on member sharing confidential experiences and support within a safe, supportive group of peers. |
- Arrive early to introduce yourself as a new local member and get comfortable with the setting.
- If comfortable, share your experiences during the meeting to connect with others and begin your recovery journey.
- Receive welcome keychain tags during your first meeting as a symbol of your commitment and progress.
Tag Milestones and Their Meanings:
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Celebrates completing the first month clean and establishing initial commitment to recovery. |
| 60 days | Marks sustained effort and growing confidence in staying clean during a critical early phase. |
| 1 year | Signifies a full year of sobriety, highlighting significant progress and increased stability. |
| Multiple Years | Recognizes continued sobriety milestones year after year, reinforcing long-term commitment and growth. |
