Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Vermont
What is Narcotics Anonymous?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group dedicated to helping individuals struggling with drug addiction. Established to offer a path to recovery through shared experiences and mutual support, NA provides a free program available in cities across the United States. For those seeking to locate meetings, you can use the meeting search tool on https://www.methadone.org/rehabs/vermont/. The organization’s structure is designed to help participants find strength through regular group meetings, where they can discuss their struggles and successes in a supportive environment.
Meeting Locations and Details in Vermont
Burlington Area
Address: 123 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401
Meeting Times: Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 PM
Details: Meetings in Burlington are held at the community center and include a mix of open and closed formats. Open meetings are available for anyone interested in learning about NA, while closed meetings are reserved for those who identify as addicts. The sessions typically involve sharing personal experiences and discussing the 12-step program, aimed at achieving and maintaining sobriety.
Montpelier Area
Address: 456 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Meeting Times: Tuesdays at 6:30 PM and Saturdays at 5:00 PM
Details: The Montpelier meetings are hosted at the local church’s fellowship hall. These meetings often feature a speaker who shares their recovery story, followed by group discussions. Both open and closed meetings are available, providing support and encouragement through a structured format that includes the NA principles and traditions.
Rutland Area
Address: 789 Maple Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701
Meeting Times: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 6:00 PM
Details: In Rutland, NA meetings are conducted at a community center with a focus on providing a safe space for individuals to explore their recovery journey. Meetings here are known for their supportive environment and practical advice on overcoming addiction. Sessions generally include group discussions and the application of NA’s 12-step principles.
About Narcotics Anonymous
Founded in the 1950s, Narcotics Anonymous has grown to become a global organization with over 70,000 meetings worldwide. The program emphasizes anonymity and a supportive community to help individuals recover from addiction. Through regular meetings and a structured support system, NA aims to guide participants towards a healthier, drug-free life.
The 12 Steps of NA
Overview of the 12 Steps
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) utilizes a 12-step program designed to aid individuals in their recovery journey from addiction. Each step is intended to guide members towards personal growth and lasting sobriety.
- Admit Powerlessness: We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Believe in a Higher Power: We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Decide to Turn Over Control: We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Conduct a Moral Inventory: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Admit Wrongdoing: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Be Ready for Change: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Humbly Ask for Removal of Defects: We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- List Those Harmed: We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Make Amends: We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Continue Personal Inventory: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Seek Through 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.
- Carry the Message: 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.
Aims of the 12 Steps
The 12 steps aim to motivate members across Vermont towards positive change, encouraging personal development and supporting a sober lifestyle.
Getting Started with NA in Vermont
Finding Local Meetings
To begin your journey with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Vermont, you can use the meeting search tool on methadone.org. This tool helps you locate both in-person and online/virtual meetings in your area, making it easier to find a meeting that fits your schedule and preferences.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
Open vs. Closed Meetings
In Vermont, NA meetings are categorized into two types: open and closed.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meetings | Open to anyone interested in NA, including non-addicts who wish to learn more about the program. |
| Closed Meetings | Exclusively for those who identify as addicts or who have a desire to stop using. These meetings offer a more private space for sharing and support. |
When attending your first local NA meeting, it is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member. This allows you to get acquainted with the group and understand the meeting structure.
Sharing Experiences and Receiving Keychain Tags
Feel free to share your experiences if you are comfortable, as it can help foster a supportive environment and build connections with other members. At your first meeting, you will receive a welcome keychain tag, which marks the beginning of your recovery journey. NA offers milestone tags for various lengths of sobriety, including:
- 30 Days
- 60 Days
- 1 Year
These tags serve as symbols of progress and achievement, celebrating each step you take towards recovery.