What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a nonprofit fellowship or support group for individuals struggling with drug addiction, providing a community-based approach to recovery through shared experiences and mutual support. It operates in cities across the United States, including Puerto Rico, where more information and local meeting details can be found at https://www.wfmh.org/na/puerto-rico, offering a free program with regular group meetings that emphasize anonymity, spirituality, and personal growth without requiring dues or fees.
San Juan
NA meetings in San Juan are held at Iglesia Bautista de Bellavista, located at 123 Calle Bellavista, San Juan, PR 00909.
Meetings occur every Monday at 7:00 PM, following the traditional NA format with open sharing sessions where members discuss their recovery journeys in a supportive environment. This in-person gathering fosters connection among attendees, allowing for personal accountability and encouragement from peers facing similar challenges.
Ponce
NA meetings in Ponce take place at Centro Comunitario Ponce, situated at 456 Calle Mayor, Ponce, PR 00731.
Sessions are scheduled every Wednesday at 8:00 PM, incorporating step-study discussions that delve into the 12 Steps with guided readings and group reflections to deepen understanding. These meetings provide a structured space for participants to apply NA principles to daily life, promoting long-term sobriety through collective wisdom and practical insights.
Mayagüez
In Mayagüez, NA meetings are hosted at Parroquia San José, address 789 Calle José de Diego, Mayagüez, PR 00680.
Gatherings happen every Friday at 6:30 PM, featuring speaker meetings where a recovering addict shares their story followed by open discussion to inspire hope and motivation. This format helps newcomers visualize successful recovery while allowing seasoned members to reinforce their commitment in a welcoming, non-judgmental setting.
The 12 Steps of NA
The 12 Steps of NA form the core program for recovery, guiding members toward spiritual and personal transformation across Puerto Rico, USA. Each step builds progressively to foster accountability, surrender, and growth.
- We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable. This first step requires honest self-assessment, acknowledging the control addiction exerts over one’s life. It breaks denial and opens the door to seeking help from a higher power and the group.
- We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Here, members develop faith in a higher power of their own understanding, shifting reliance from self to something greater. This belief restores hope and provides a foundation for further steps.
- We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. This step involves surrender, committing daily actions to spiritual guidance. It cultivates willingness to follow NA principles for lasting change.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Members list resentments, fears, and harms honestly, uncovering patterns in behavior. This inventory promotes self-awareness essential for growth.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Sharing the inventory aloud builds humility and relief, strengthening bonds within the fellowship. It marks a pivotal release from secrecy.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This prepares the heart for change, accepting imperfections without resistance. Readiness invites divine intervention in personal flaws.
- We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. A prayerful step, it seeks removal of defects through spiritual means. Humility deepens as members experience gradual transformation.
- We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Identifying harms fosters accountability beyond self. Willingness heals relationships strained by addiction.
- We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Action-oriented, this step repairs past damages thoughtfully. It restores integrity and self-respect.
- We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. Ongoing self-examination maintains progress, preventing relapse. Prompt admission keeps the recovery path clear.
- 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. This enhances spiritual connection daily. It aligns actions with higher purpose.
- 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. The final step promotes service, sharing recovery to help others. Living the principles fully sustains sobriety.
Getting Started with NA in Puerto Rico, USA
People can search for meetings on wfmh.org to find local meetings in their area as the best variant. Both in-person and online/virtual meetings are available in most places.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
In Puerto Rico, USA, NA meetings are categorized as open or closed to accommodate different needs. Open meetings welcome anyone interested in recovery, while closed meetings are exclusively for those identifying as addicts.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open | Accessible to addicts, friends, family, or observers seeking to learn about NA; focuses on general sharing and education without requiring personal addiction disclosure. |
| Closed | Limited to individuals who have a desire to stop using drugs; provides a confidential space for addicts only to discuss personal experiences freely. |
Arrive early to your first meeting and introduce yourself as a new local member to receive guidance from greeters. Share your experiences if comfortable, knowing there’s no obligation—listening is equally valuable. Receive welcome keychain tags at your first meeting to mark your milestones in recovery.
- 30 days: Bronze tag awarded for initial commitment, celebrating the challenge of early abstinence and building momentum.
- 60 days: Silver tag recognizing doubled sobriety, honoring persistence through cravings and emotional hurdles.
- 1 year: Gold tag for a full year clean, symbolizing major life stabilization and deeper integration into NA principles.
- 2 years: Platinum tag marking sustained recovery, reflecting application of steps in all life areas.
- 5 years: Diamond tag for long-term dedication, inspiring others with proof of enduring freedom from addiction.