What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. Members meet regularly to help each other stay clean and achieve recovery from drug addiction. NA meetings are free to attend and open to anyone seeking help with a drug problem. This support group operates across cities throughout the United States, including numerous locations in California and the Riverside area, providing accessible recovery resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse.
NA is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs, with only one requirement for membership: the desire to stop using. The organization welcomes anyone regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion, or lack of religion. By attending regular meetings and connecting with other recovering addicts, members gain peer support and practical tools for maintaining sobriety and rebuilding their lives.
Riverside Alano Club
Address: 2490 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
Meeting Times and Details: The Riverside Alano Club hosts open discussion style meetings multiple times throughout the week. Monday through Friday meetings are held at 12pm, 5:30pm, and 8pm, while Saturday and Sunday meetings occur at 12pm, 6pm, and 8pm. This location features wheelchair accessibility, ensuring that individuals with mobility considerations can comfortably attend meetings and participate in the recovery process.
Arlington Methodist Church
Address: 9350 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92509
Meeting Times and Details: Arlington Methodist Church offers candlelight meetings on Sunday at 6pm and Tuesday at 7pm. These contemplative meeting sessions create a peaceful atmosphere for members to reflect on their recovery journey and connect with others in a serene environment. The facility is wheelchair accessible, allowing all individuals to participate fully regardless of physical ability.
First Christian Church
Address: 4055 Jurupa Ave, Riverside, CA 92506
Meeting Times and Details: First Christian Church hosts literature study meetings on Monday at 7pm and Friday at 7pm. During these sessions, members engage with NA literature and core texts to deepen their understanding of the 12-step program and its principles. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all members of the Riverside community can access these educational recovery meetings.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous provide a structured framework for recovery, guiding members through a journey of personal transformation and spiritual growth. Each step builds upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive approach to achieving and maintaining sobriety. The following steps aim to motivate members toward positive change across California, Riverside, and beyond:
- We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step involves recognizing and accepting the reality of addiction’s impact on one’s life. By acknowledging powerlessness over drugs, members take the crucial first action toward recovery and open themselves to the possibility of change.
- We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages members to develop faith in a higher power, whether spiritual, religious, or simply the collective strength of the NA community. This belief provides hope and motivation for the recovery journey ahead.
- We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Members commit to surrendering control and trusting in their chosen higher power to guide their recovery. This decision represents a fundamental shift from self-reliance to openness and acceptance of help beyond oneself.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This introspective step requires members to honestly examine their character, behaviors, and values without judgment. By conducting this thorough self-assessment, members identify patterns and areas for personal growth and healing.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing one’s inventory with another person creates accountability and releases shame accumulated through addiction. This confession facilitates emotional healing and strengthens connections with supportive community members.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members cultivate willingness to change and release negative character traits and behaviors developed during active addiction. This readiness demonstrates commitment to personal transformation and spiritual development.
- We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Through humility and prayer, members request assistance in overcoming character defects and behavioral patterns. This step emphasizes reliance on a higher power and the importance of spiritual practice in recovery.
- We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Members identify individuals hurt by their addiction and demonstrate genuine willingness to repair relationships. This preparation ensures sincere commitment before taking action to make amends.
- We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members actively repair harm caused during their addiction, taking responsibility and seeking forgiveness where appropriate. This step rebuilds relationships and restores integrity while exercising judgment about situations where amends might cause further harm.
- We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members establish ongoing self-reflection practices to maintain awareness and accountability in daily life. By addressing mistakes immediately, members prevent resentment and maintain emotional balance in their recovery.
- We 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. Members deepen spiritual connection through contemplative practices and align personal actions with higher purpose. This step sustains spiritual growth and provides ongoing guidance for ethical living.
- Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Members share their recovery experience with others struggling with addiction and apply NA principles to all aspects of life. This final step creates a cycle of giving back and ensures lasting personal transformation through service.
Getting Started with NA in Riverside, California, USA
Beginning your journey with Narcotics Anonymous is a straightforward process that connects you with supportive community members dedicated to recovery. The best way to find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Riverside is to use the meeting search on Methadone.org. This comprehensive resource allows you to search by location and find meetings that fit your schedule and preferences in the Riverside area.
Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available, providing flexibility for individuals with different circumstances and comfort levels. Whether you prefer face-to-face connection or the convenience of attending from home, you can find meeting options that support your recovery needs in Riverside.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Understanding the types of meetings available helps you choose the environment that best supports your recovery. Riverside offers both open and closed meetings, each serving different purposes within the NA community.
| Meeting Type | Who Can Attend | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Anyone interested in the NA program, including friends, family members, and allies | Allow visitors to learn about the NA program and understand how it supports recovery from addiction |
| Closed Meetings | Only for addicts or those who think they may have a drug problem | Promote a safe space for members to share openly about their experiences and recovery journey without outside observers |
When attending your first Riverside NA meeting, arrive early to acclimate yourself to the environment and meet other members in a relaxed setting. Introduce yourself as a new local member so that others can offer support and guidance specific to your early recovery experience. Feel free to share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so; however, listening is equally valuable as many newcomers benefit from hearing others’ stories before speaking.
At your first meeting, you will typically receive a welcome keychain tag recognizing your commitment to recovery. These milestone tags mark important anniversaries in your sobriety journey and serve as tangible reminders of progress:
- 30 Days: Represents the first month of continuous sobriety and acknowledges the significant commitment required to maintain abstinence during the critical early recovery period.
- 60 Days: Marks two months of recovery and demonstrates sustained dedication to the NA program and personal transformation.
- 1 Year: Celebrates 365 days of sobriety and represents a major milestone in your recovery journey, showing long-term commitment to abstinence and personal growth.
- Additional Milestones: NA continues to recognize recovery anniversaries at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, and continues annually thereafter, celebrating each member’s dedication to maintaining sobriety and helping others in recovery.
The Eastern Inland Empire Area of Narcotics Anonymous, which serves Riverside, maintains a 24-hour helpline at (909) 370-3568 or (800) 397-2333 for anyone seeking immediate support or meeting information. Spanish language support is also available through their helpline at (888) NA-AHORA. These resources ensure that individuals can access help and find appropriate meeting times regardless of their circumstances or language preference.