Narcotic Anonymous Meetings in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett, Georgia, USA

What is NA?

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship or society that provides support for people struggling with drug addiction. The organization operates as a community-based approach to addiction recovery, offering a supportive network for individuals seeking to overcome substance abuse issues. NA follows a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous but focuses specifically on drug addiction rather than alcohol dependency. For local meetings, visit https://www.wfmh.org/na/georgia/gwinnett/lawrenceville.

One of the most significant advantages of the NA program is that it is completely free to attend, with regular group meetings held throughout Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia. These meetings provide a safe, non-judgmental space where individuals can share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with others who understand the challenges of addiction. The program is designed to help members achieve and maintain sobriety through peer support and personal accountability.

Saint Lawrence Catholic Church

319 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

The “Just For Today Group” meets at Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceville. This group provides a supportive environment for individuals in recovery, focusing on the principle of taking sobriety one day at a time. Please note that this meeting may currently be operating as a virtual meeting due to temporary circumstances or location restrictions.

Meeting Time: The specific meeting times are not detailed in the available information, but interested individuals can find updated meeting schedules through the NA website or by contacting the church directly. The meeting is conducted in English and offers a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers and long-time members alike.

Gwinnett Recovery Center

355 Benson Ponder Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044

The Gwinnett Recovery Center hosts regular NA meetings for individuals seeking support in their recovery journey. This facility serves as a dedicated space for addiction recovery services in the Lawrenceville area, providing consistent meeting schedules for community members.

Meeting Times: Multiple weekly meetings are held at various times to accommodate different schedules, including both weekday evening and weekend options. The center offers both open meetings, which anyone can attend, and closed meetings specifically for those identifying as having a substance abuse problem.

Hope Harbor Wellness

210 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Hope Harbor Wellness provides space for NA meetings as part of their comprehensive approach to addiction treatment and recovery support. This location offers a professional yet comfortable environment for individuals at all stages of recovery.

Meeting Times: NA meetings at this location typically occur in the evenings during weekdays, with additional afternoon options on weekends. The facility hosts specialized meetings including beginner-friendly sessions that provide extra guidance for those new to the NA program.

The 12 Steps of NA

  1. Admission of powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step involves recognizing that drug use has created problems that the individual cannot control or solve alone.
  2. Belief in a greater power: We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step encourages members to acknowledge that recovery requires support beyond their individual willpower.
  3. Decision to turn life over: We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrendering control and trusting in a higher power of one’s own understanding.
  4. Personal inventory: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members examine their past behaviors, attitudes, and actions honestly to understand patterns that contributed to addiction.
  5. Admission of wrongs: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step promotes accountability through confession and sharing one’s inventory with another person.
  6. Readiness for change: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members develop willingness to change harmful behaviors and thought patterns.
  7. Asking for removal of shortcomings: We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step involves actively seeking help in overcoming character flaws that contribute to addiction.
  8. List of persons harmed: We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Members identify relationships damaged by their addiction and prepare for reconciliation.
  9. Direct amends: We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This involves making apologies and reparations to those harmed, when appropriate.
  10. Continued personal inventory: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. This step establishes ongoing self-examination as a regular practice in recovery.
  11. Prayer and meditation: 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 develop spiritual practices that support recovery.
  12. Spiritual awakening and helping others: 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. The final step involves helping others find recovery and integrating these principles into daily life.

These 12 steps aim to motivate members toward positive change across Lawrenceville, Gwinnett, Georgia, USA by providing a structured approach to recovery. The steps help individuals move from acknowledging their addiction to making concrete changes and eventually supporting others in the community.

Getting Started with NA in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett, Georgia, USA

Finding NA meetings in Lawrenceville is straightforward using online resources. Websites like narcotics.com and grscna.com offer meeting search functions to locate local meetings in your area. These search tools provide up-to-date information about NA meetings, including hours, addresses, and other relevant details for those seeking recovery support.

Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available to Lawrenceville residents seeking recovery support. Virtual meetings became more common during recent years, providing accessibility options for those unable to attend in-person gatherings due to transportation issues, health concerns, or scheduling conflicts. This flexibility ensures that support remains available to all who need it, regardless of circumstances.

Attending Your First Local NA Meeting

When beginning your recovery journey in Lawrenceville, understanding the difference between open and closed meetings is important.

Meeting Type Description
Open Meetings Available to anyone interested in NA, including family members, friends, and those curious about the program. These meetings welcome observers and provide general information about recovery and the NA approach.
Closed Meetings Reserved exclusively for those who identify as having a drug problem or are questioning their drug use. These meetings provide a more confidential environment where members can speak freely about personal experiences.
Speaker Meetings Focused on one or more members sharing their recovery stories in depth. These inspirational meetings demonstrate how the program works through personal testimonies.
Discussion Meetings Structured around topics related to recovery where multiple members share briefly. These interactive meetings encourage participation from all attendees.

For your first meeting, it’s recommended to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes early and introduce yourself as a new local member. This gives you time to meet a few people, get comfortable with the setting, and learn about meeting protocols. Many regular members are eager to welcome newcomers and can help explain how the meeting will proceed.

Sharing your experiences during your first meeting is completely optional. While participation is encouraged, newcomers are welcome to simply listen and observe until they feel comfortable speaking. The NA philosophy emphasizes “take what you need and leave the rest,” allowing each person to engage at their own comfort level.

NA celebrates recovery milestones with keychain tags, with newcomers receiving a welcome tag at their first meeting. These tags serve as tangible reminders of progress and achievements in recovery.

Recovery Milestone Tags

  • Welcome/Just for Today: Given to newcomers attending their first meeting or to anyone who wants to commit to staying clean for just the current day.
  • 30 Days: Celebrates one month of continuous sobriety, marking the beginning of establishing new, healthy patterns in recovery.
  • 60 Days: Acknowledges two months clean, representing continued commitment and early stability in the recovery process.
  • 90 Days: Recognizes three months of sobriety, often considered a significant milestone as many early recovery challenges have been faced.
  • 6 Months: Celebrates half a year of recovery, showing substantial progress and commitment to the program.
  • 9 Months: Acknowledges nine months clean, demonstrating continued growth and perseverance in recovery.
  • 1 Year: Marks a full year of sobriety, a major achievement celebrating 365 days of making recovery-focused choices.
  • 18 Months: Recognizes a year and a half of continuous recovery and ongoing personal development.
  • Multiple Years: Additional keytags for 2, 3, 5, 10, and more years celebrate long-term recovery and the ongoing journey of growth.