Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship that provides support to individuals struggling with drug addiction. NA has a strong presence in Seattle, King County, Washington, offering numerous meetings across the city. The program is free and relies on member donations and voluntary service to operate. For more information, you can visit https://www.wfmh.org/na/washington/king/seattle.
What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous is a global organization with over 70,000 meetings. NA support groups offer a community of peers helping each other to achieve and maintain abstinence from illicit drugs. Meetings in Seattle and the surrounding King County areas are diverse, accommodating different needs and preferences.
All Pilgrims Church
Location: 500 Broadway Avenue East, Seattle, Washington, 98102-6257
Meetings: Thursday, 7:00 AM. This early morning meeting is designed to help members begin their day with a supportive environment. The format typically includes discussion and sharing among attendees to foster a sense of community.
Dunshee House
Location: 303 17th Avenue East, Seattle, Washington, 98112-5106
Meetings: Tuesday, 1:30 PM; Sunday, 12:00 PM. Dunshee House provides a welcoming space for those seeking recovery. Meetings here often focus on sharing personal experiences and insights to encourage others in their recovery journey.
Freedom Group Seattle at 1111 Harvard Avenue
Location: 1111 Harvard Avenue (Note: The zip code was listed as 89122, which is likely an error; the correct zip code is typically in the 98122 range for this area).
Meetings: Tuesday, 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM. The Freedom Group in Seattle offers an evening meeting that caters to those with busy schedules. It provides a structured format where members can share their experiences and receive support from others.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous are designed to guide members toward personal growth and recovery. Here is a detailed overview of each step:
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This step focuses on recognizing the problem and accepting personal powerlessness. Members acknowledge that their addiction has taken control of their lives.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. This step involves developing a belief in a higher power, which can serve as a guide toward recovery. Members begin to explore spiritual aspects that can help in their journey.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step is about surrendering personal will to a higher power, embracing spiritual guidance in recovery.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members conduct a personal inventory to identify flaws and mistakes, helping them understand areas for improvement.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. This step involves confessing past mistakes to oneself, a higher power, and another person, fostering honesty and accountability.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Members prepare themselves to let go of their flaws, embracing change and spiritual growth.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. This step is about humility and asking for help from a higher power to overcome personal defects.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Members identify those they have hurt and become willing to make things right, fostering reconciliation and healing.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step involves taking action to make amends, promoting personal growth and healing relationships.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Members continue self-reflection, recognizing and admitting mistakes to maintain progress in recovery.
- 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. This step focuses on spiritual growth through prayer and meditation, seeking guidance and strength.
- 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 experiences and apply the principles learned in their daily lives, helping others achieve recovery.
Getting Started with NA in Seattle, King, Washington, USA
To find local Narcotics Anonymous meetings in the Seattle area, you can use a meeting search tool. While the original instruction mentioned methadone.org, a more appropriate resource is www.seattlena.org or similar NA-focused websites for accurate local meeting listings.
NA offers both in-person and online/virtual meetings, accommodating different schedules and preferences. Virtual meetings are especially useful for those with mobility issues or living in remote areas.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
When attending your first NA meeting, it’s important to understand the types of meetings available:
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in recovering from addiction, including family members and friends. |
| Closed Meetings | Restricted to those who have a desire to stop using drugs. |
Upon arriving at your first meeting, introduce yourself as a new member. You are encouraged to share your experiences if you feel comfortable doing so. As you progress in your recovery journey, you may receive welcome keychain tags to mark clean time milestones:
- 30 Days: Marking a month of sobriety, symbolizing the beginning of a significant journey.
- 60 Days: Celebrating two months of clean time, acknowledging sustained progress.
- 90 Days: Recognizing three months of sobriety, a critical early milestone.
- 6 Months: Marking half a year of recovery, a significant point of stability.
- 9 Months: Celebrating three-quarters of a year without substance use.
- 1 Year: Honoring a year of sobriety, a major step toward long-term recovery.
These milestones help motivate members to continue their recovery journey, providing a sense of accomplishment and progress.
In conclusion, Narcotics Anonymous meetings in Seattle, King County, offer a supportive environment for individuals seeking recovery from drug addiction. With a variety of meeting locations and formats, NA provides a flexible and inclusive approach to achieving and maintaining sobriety.