What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a global, nonprofit fellowship for individuals whose lives have become unmanageable due to drug addiction. NA’s primary purpose is to help members maintain sobriety through regular group meetings, mutual support, and the application of the 12-step recovery program, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous but focused on drug addiction. NA groups are active across Indiana, including the cities of Marion and Indianapolis where more information is available at https://www.wfmh.org/na/indiana/marion/indianapolis, offering free, ongoing support without fees, religious requirements, or membership prerequisites—the only requirement is the desire to stop using drugs.
NA Meetings in Indianapolis and Surrounding Areas
Central Indiana, including Indianapolis and Marion, hosts nearly 100 regular meetings, with multiple options each day of the week in various locations across the region. Meetings are held in community centers, churches, and hospitals, providing accessible environments for recovery support. Below are detailed descriptions of three prominent meeting locations:
North Methodist Church
Address: 38th St & Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Meetings at North Methodist Church are held at 7:30 PM on Mondays (Discussion Meeting), Tuesdays (Speaker Meeting), and Thursdays (Basic Text Study), and at 6:30 PM on Saturdays (Discussion Meeting). These sessions welcome newcomers and offer a safe space to share personal experiences, learn from speakers who share their recovery stories, and engage in the study of NA’s foundational literature. The variety of meeting formats caters to different preferences and recovery stages, making it a supportive hub for those seeking long-term sobriety in Indianapolis.
Shepherd Community Center
Address: 4107 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
Shepherd Community Center hosts NA meetings at 6:00 PM on Sundays (Discussion Meeting) and Wednesdays (Discussion Meeting). These discussion-focused meetings encourage open sharing among participants, fostering honest conversations about recovery challenges and successes. The community center environment provides a welcoming atmosphere, ideal for building a network of peers committed to sobriety in the Marion County area.
Castleton United Methodist Church
Address: 7300 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46250
This location offers a weekly NA meeting at 7:30 PM on Fridays (Discussion Meeting). The Castleton meeting emphasizes the importance of peer support, where members can recount their journeys and receive encouragement from others facing similar struggles. Regular attendance helps establish accountability and community, both vital for sustained recovery in the Castleton area of Indianapolis.
| Location | Address | Meeting Times | Meeting Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Methodist Church | 38th St & Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 | Mon, Tue, Thu at 7:30 PM; Sat at 6:30 PM | Discussion, Speaker, Basic Text Study |
| Shepherd Community Center | 4107 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46201 | Sun, Wed at 6:00 PM | Discussion |
| Castleton United Methodist Church | 7300 N Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46250 | Fri at 7:30 PM | Discussion |
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. Members acknowledge their inability to control substance use and the resulting chaos in their lives, a foundation for seeking recovery.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Trusting in a higher power—as each understands it—helps members gain hope and the belief that change is possible.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrender, allowing members to seek guidance and support beyond their own limitations.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their past with honesty, identifying harmful patterns and behaviors.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing these insights with another person fosters accountability and emotional healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare for personal growth, ready to let go of negative traits.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves seeking help for lasting change.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Members identify those affected by their actions and resolve to set things right.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Actual apologies and restitution are made, balanced with sensitivity to others’ well-being.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection helps maintain the progress achieved in earlier steps.
- 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 growth is nurtured through regular practice.
- 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. Sharing experience and supporting others in recovery becomes an essential part of sober living.
Getting Started with NA in Indiana, Marion, Indianapolis, USA
The best way to locate local NA meetings in Indiana, Marion, or Indianapolis is to visit wfmh.org, which provides an updated listing of meeting times, locations, and formats specifically for the Indianapolis area. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are widely available, offering flexibility for those with scheduling challenges or health concerns.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in Indiana are either open or closed. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in learning about NA, including family, friends, and individuals with addictions, while closed meetings are reserved for those who identify as addicts seeking recovery.
| Meeting Type | Who Can Attend | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone (addicts, family, friends, professionals) | Education, support for families, and public awareness |
| Closed Meeting | Only those seeking recovery from addiction | Peer support and sharing among recovering addicts |
- Arrive Early: Coming 10–15 minutes before the meeting starts helps you feel more comfortable and meet the group leader.
- Introduce Yourself as New: Letting others know it’s your first meeting can help you receive extra support and encouragement.
- Share if Comfortable: Participation is never required, but sharing your experience, if you feel ready, can be a powerful step in your recovery.
- Receive a Welcome Keychain Tag: At your first meeting, you’ll often receive a tag to mark the start of your journey.
NA members celebrate milestones in recovery with colored keychain tags. These milestones include:
- 30 Days: Celebrates one month of continuous sobriety.
- 60 Days: Recognizes two months of clean living.
- 90 Days: Marks three months of recovery.
- 6 Months: Acknowledges half a year of sobriety.
- 1 Year: Honors a full year clean, a major achievement.
- Multi-Year Milestones: Annual tags continue for each year of sobriety, supporting long-term commitment to recovery.
For the most accurate and up-to-date meeting information, always use wfmh.org to find local NA meetings in Indiana, Marion, and Indianapolis.