What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit, community-based support group for individuals struggling with drug addiction, offering free group meetings across the United States, including multiple locations in Missouri and Saint Louis such as na club st louis. NA’s approach is inclusive and open to anyone with the desire to stop using drugs, with no membership fees, social, political, or religious affiliations, and a primary focus on abstinence through peer support and the 12 Steps.
Central Presbyterian Church
Address: 3501 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
Meetings are held every Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church basement. These gatherings follow an open discussion format centered on NA literature and the 12 Steps, providing a supportive environment for sharing experiences and collective learning. The format encourages participation from all attendees, fostering a sense of community and mutual aid in recovery.
Webster Groves Presbyterian Church
Address: 45 West Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119
NA meetings take place on Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in classroom 4. The structure alternates between speaker-led sessions and open participation, allowing members to hear personal recovery stories and contribute their own insights. This variety helps newcomers and long-term members alike to engage with the recovery process in different ways.
Downtown Alano Club
Address: 1914 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
This location hosts multiple NA meetings throughout the week, including an open discussion on Mondays (12:15–1:15 PM), a book study focusing on NA literature on Wednesdays (12:15–1:15 PM), and a speaker meeting on Fridays (12:15–1:15 PM). The diversity in meeting types—discussion, literature study, and speaker—caters to different preferences and stages of recovery, ensuring broad accessibility.
The 12 Steps of NA
- Admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable. Members recognize their inability to control drug use and the resulting chaos in their lives, which is the foundation for seeking help.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step involves developing hope through the belief in a healing force, whether spiritual, communal, or personal.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. Individuals commit to trusting a higher power’s guidance in their recovery process.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members undertake an honest self-assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors needing change.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing one’s inventory fosters accountability and begins healing through openness.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This step prepares members to let go of harmful traits with help from their higher power.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Members actively seek spiritual assistance to overcome personal flaws.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Acknowledging past harms is the first step toward reconciliation.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Members take responsible action to repair damaged relationships.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-reflection helps maintain progress and prevent relapse.
- 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 practice supports sustained recovery.
- 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. Members share their recovery experience with others and apply these principles daily.
Getting Started with NA in Missouri, Saint Louis, Saint Louis, USA
The best way to find local NA meetings is to visit wfmh.org, which provides a comprehensive, up-to-date directory for Missouri, Saint Louis, and surrounding areas. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are widely available, making recovery support accessible regardless of location or circumstance.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in Missouri and Saint Louis are either open (anyone may attend, including friends and family) or closed (only those with a desire to stop using drugs). The following table distinguishes these types:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to all, including non-addicts interested in learning about NA, supporting a loved one, or observing the recovery process. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to individuals who identify as addicts, providing a private space for sharing and support among peers. |
When attending your first meeting, it’s best to arrive early to familiarize yourself with the environment and introduce yourself as a new member. Sharing your experiences is encouraged but never required—what matters most is your presence and willingness to engage. Newcomers often receive a welcome keychain tag at their first meeting, a symbol of belonging and the start of their recovery journey.
Members celebrate milestones with special tags, marking progress and reinforcing commitment. Common milestones include:
- 30 days: Recognizing a month of continuous sobriety and the establishment of new routines.
- 60 days: Celebrating two months of recovery and personal growth.
- 1 year: Honoring a full year of abstinence and the ongoing process of transformation.
- Additional milestones: Tags for multiple years of sobriety are also awarded, each marking significant achievements in the recovery journey.
NA’s welcoming and structured approach offers a proven path to recovery, available to anyone seeking help in Missouri, Saint Louis, and beyond.