What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a mutual support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with drug addiction achieve and maintain recovery. NA operates in cities across the United States, offering a free program based on fellowship and shared experiences among recovering addicts.
In Maryland, Baltimore, NA holds regular group meetings focused on recovery from the disease of addiction, providing a safe and supportive environment for those seeking help and connection with others on the same path.
Freestate Service Center
217 N. Warwick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223
Meeting Time: 1st Saturday of each month, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This meeting features monthly service and fellowship gatherings that include discussions on NA activities, service opportunities, and recovery topics. Participants share personal experiences and provide mutual encouragement in a welcoming space.
210 West Madison Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Meeting Time: Mondays at 7:30 PM
This is an open step study meeting where members collectively work through the NA 12 Steps. The group emphasizes respectful sharing and mutual support while fostering a sense of community for newcomers and ongoing members alike.
Maryland General Hospital
2001 East Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
Meeting Time: Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
This closed discussion meeting is intended for individuals who identify as addicts seeking recovery. It focuses on honest group sharing and participation to strengthen members’ commitment to sobriety and personal growth within NA principles.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction — that our lives had become unmanageable. This step helps members accept that they need help and cannot control addiction alone.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This introduces faith and hope in recovery, without requiring religious belief.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members commit to trusting in a higher power for guidance and strength.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This encourages honest self-reflection to identify personal faults and patterns contributing to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Facilitates accountability and vulnerability, crucial for healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Builds readiness for personal change and growth.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Demonstrates humility and willingness to improve.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Members recognize the impact of their addiction on others and prepare to repair relationships.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Encourages taking responsibility and making restitution carefully and respectfully.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Cultivates ongoing self-awareness and humility.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. Enables spiritual growth and continued guidance.
- 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 foster ongoing service and commitment to recovery within the community.
Getting Started with NA in Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, USA
To find local NA meetings in Maryland, Baltimore, and nearby areas, individuals can visit methadone.org, which provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date listings for meetings across the region.
Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most locations, offering flexible options to accommodate different preferences and needs during recovery.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In Maryland, Baltimore, there are two main types of NA meetings: open and closed. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about recovery, including family and friends, while closed meetings are reserved exclusively for those who identify as addicts seeking recovery.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone may attend, including non-addicts, to observe or participate in sharing. These meetings are useful for newcomers and family members. |
| Closed Meeting | Restricted to addicts only, providing a safe space for honest sharing and support among peers committed to recovery. |
It is recommended to arrive a few minutes early to introduce yourself as a new local member. Sharing your experience is encouraged but not required; members can participate at their comfort level.
At your first meeting, you may receive a welcome keychain tag symbolizing the beginning of your recovery journey. These tags mark sobriety milestones and encourage continued progress.
- 30 days: Celebrates one month of continuous sobriety, symbolizing a strong initial commitment.
- 60 days: Represents two months sober, reflecting deepened dedication and growth.
- 1 year: Marks a full year of recovery, a significant achievement often celebrated with the community.
- Additional milestones may include 18 months, 2 years, and beyond, representing ongoing recovery success.