Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Chicago: Meeting Types, Milestones, and Support

What is Narcotics Anonymous?

Narcotics Anonymous is a nonprofit, international organization that helps people who have a drug problem and want to put an end to it. NA was established in the 1950s and has since grown into one of the largest recovery networks worldwide, offering free, non-compulsory, confidential support through a 12-step program. With more than 70,000 meetings taking place globally, NA is determined to assist people in breaking their addiction cycle in a very non-judgmental, well-supportive environment. This program is open to everyone who wants to surmount the addiction problem, regardless of their background or the substance they are struggling with. For those seeking support in Chicago, you can find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings through chicago na.

NA is different from other recovery programs; it specially provides support for people who are struggling with narcotic addiction. Founded on the principle that addiction is a disease, NA assumes that through regularly scheduled meetings and personal accountability, those seeking help within the NA community have a place to seek guidance, encouragement, and belonging.

Narcotics Anonymous in Chicago

Chicago holds an astounding array of Narcotics Anonymous meetings, providing many chances for attendance on behalf of recovering people. These self-help groups are free of charge and provide a nonthreatening environment in which to share experiences and draw strength from others who have been through some of the same challenges. NA meetings held in Chicago come in numerous different formats and in an array of locations across the city, making many options available for different kinds of people seeking help.

NA Meetings Available in Chicago

Following are some major locations where NA meetings are held throughout Chicago:

First Congregational Church of Chicago

Address: 1000 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Meeting Times:

Details: This location provides a friendly setting for those just starting with NA and for those continuing their recovery process. The group uses an open discussion format on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, allowing participants to share their experiences and challenges. On Sundays, the meeting focuses on studying the 12-step program, which allows attendees to really delve deeper into the principles that guide the NA philosophy.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

Address: 2335 N. Orchard Street, Chicago, IL 60614

Meeting Times:

Details: This church is located in Lincoln Park and hosts Narcotics Anonymous meetings with the purpose of discussing and working through the 12 steps and traditions of NA. The meetings are designed to enable the working of the 12-step process for deeper reflection personally and as a group. On Saturdays, this group holds topic-based discussions from managing cravings to healthy relationships in recovery.

Trinity United Methodist Church

Address: 6750 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637

Meeting Times:

Details: Trinity United Methodist Church serves as a friendly hub for the individuals desiring assistance in their addiction recovery. The meetings on Monday and Wednesday are discussion oriented, and one will be able to share his or her experience and also listen to others. On Fridays, the meeting type would involve a guest speaker to present their recovery story and share inspiration and knowledge about fighting addiction.

Meeting Formats and Methods

NA meetings tend to utilize one of several formats:

Each meeting is free of charge, and participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they need. The meetings are open to everyone, and newcomers are always welcome to join the community of individuals working together to overcome addiction.

The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous

The guiding principles of Narcotics Anonymous include the 12-step program: designed to assist individuals in overcoming their addiction by fostering growth in themselves spiritually, as well as seeking support through others. These steps will foster self-reflection, accountability, and commitment to a life of recovery. A detailed explanation of each of the steps involved in the NA program is as follows:

  1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction – that our lives had become unmanageable. Admitting the inability to control addiction is the first step to healing.
  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. The belief in possible recovery via a higher power instills hope.
  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Dedication to a higher power, whatever that may be, allows the process of recovery to be embraced and accepted.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Self-evaluation is necessary to recognize those behaviors and habits that need to change.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Honesty and openness with others help in the breaking of denial.
  6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. The spirit of renunciation of hurtful habits is a crucial factor that propels an individual toward spiritual growth.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. We asked for help to overcome these personal shortcomings and find growth and healing.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Taking responsibility for past wrongs plays a critical role in rebuilding relationships and gaining inner peace.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Actively working to right past wrongs helps repair relationships and build integrity.
  10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection ensures continued growth and accountability in recovery.
  11. 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. Spiritual practices develop a stronger rapport with the Higher Power to lead one’s actions.
  12. 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. Thus, sharing the message of recovery and living by the principles of the program help sustain personal growth and motivate others.

These steps help members of Narcotics Anonymous in their journey of recovery and motivating positive change throughout the NA community of Chicago.

NA in Chicago: Getting Started

First things first: to start your NA journey in Chicago, you need to find some local meetings. You can do this by using the meeting finder tool on methadone.org, one of the more valid websites for finding NA meetings near you. You will have the ability to search for many different types of meetings-in-person and online/virtual-that cater to your schedule and comfort level.

Meeting Options in Chicago

Whether you prefer in-person or online meetings, both options are designed to foster connection and support, with a focus on shared experiences and group accountability.

Attending Your First Local NA Meeting

Attending your first NA meeting in Chicago is a significant step in your recovery journey. There are two types of meetings you might encounter: open meetings and closed meetings.

Open vs Closed Meetings in Chicago

Meeting Type Description Who Can Attend
Open Meeting Anyone may attend an open meeting; these often include friends and family members as well as individuals simply interested in how the NA program works. Open to anyone, including non-addicts
Closed Meeting For addicts only who desire recovery. For addicts only

Open meetings provide a chance for non-members to learn about NA and offer support to those in recovery. Closed meetings, on the other hand, are private sessions where only individuals who are struggling with addiction are allowed to attend. These meetings are more focused on providing a safe, supportive space where participants can share openly with those who understand their experiences.

Arriving at Your First Meeting

When you join the first local NA meeting in Chicago, it is very advisable to arrive a little earlier than specified, take time to familiarize yourself with the setting, and get to know other people present. Most of the groups invite newcomers to introduce themselves as new members, which is a good avenue for support and being embraced.

You can, but you don’t have to, share your own addiction and recovery experience if you wish at your initial meeting. Sharing is always optional. Most newcomers like to just listen during their first meeting to get an idea of how it works and to hear what others have to say before deciding to share themselves. Remember, each participant does things at their own pace.

Getting Your First Welcome Keychain

The welcome keychain tag is normally given to you at your first NA meeting as a symbol of your commitment to the program. It is a physical reminder of the decision you have taken to seek help; it is given to help keep you motivated as you begin your journey in recovery.

Keychain Milestones

These milestones and their corresponding keychains remind one of how far one has come and how strong one has become in their road to recovery. The NA Chicago community is always there to support you on each and every step, with understanding and encouragement through working the stages of the program.