What is NA?
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a support group designed for individuals struggling with drug addiction. It offers a safe, welcoming environment throughout various cities in the United States, including local meetings listed on MethadOne.
NA provides a free program featuring regular group meetings held in California, particularly in Kern County and Bakersfield. These meetings foster fellowship and mutual support among recovering addicts.
3316 Laverne Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
Meeting Time: Every Monday at 12:00 PM
This meeting is known as the “Ring of Fire Group.” It follows an open-discussion format where participants share their experiences and provide mutual support. The atmosphere encourages newcomers to feel comfortable engaging at their own pace.
2309 San Marino Drive, Bakersfield, CA
Meeting Time: Every Wednesday at 6:30 PM
The “Terralynns Group” meeting combines speaker sessions with time for open sharing. Members discuss personal challenges and successes in recovery, guided by the group’s principles, providing a balanced and supportive meeting environment.
4600 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA
Meeting Time: Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM
Known as the “Tuesday Night Traditional Group,” this meeting follows the traditional NA format, focusing on the 12 steps and readings from NA literature. This structured approach helps members deepen their understanding of NA’s recovery principles.
The 12 Steps of NA
- We admitted we were powerless over our addiction—that our lives had become unmanageable.
This first step encourages honesty about the extent of addiction and acceptance that self-control alone is insufficient to overcome it.
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Members open themselves to the possibility of recovery through a higher power, fostering hope beyond personal limitations.
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
This step signifies commitment to change by entrusting recovery to a spiritual power, however one interprets it.
- Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Self-examination is critical to identify past behaviors, attitudes, and shortcomings that contributed to addiction.
- Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Sharing personal faults with others breaks isolation and builds accountability, which supports healing.
- Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Readiness for change is embraced, preparing to let go of destructive habits and patterns.
- Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Members practice humility by seeking help to overcome imperfections that hinder recovery.
- Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
This step focuses on responsibility and healing relationships damaged by addiction.
- Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Practical reconciliation efforts are undertaken carefully to restore trust without causing harm.
- Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Ongoing self-awareness and correction prevent relapse and promote sustained growth.
- Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out.
Spiritual practices support clarity, guidance, and strength throughout 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 help others by sharing their experience and practicing NA principles daily, fostering continued recovery.
These steps provide motivation toward positive change for members throughout California, Kern, and Bakersfield.
Getting Started with NA in California, Kern, Bakersfield, USA
To find local NA meetings in your area, the preferred and most reliable resource is the meeting search on Methadone.org. This site offers up-to-date information on both in-person and online/virtual meetings available in most locations.
Attending Your First Local NA Meeting
NA meetings in California, Kern, and Bakersfield offer two main types of gatherings: open and closed meetings.
| Meeting Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Open Meeting | Anyone is welcome to attend, including individuals curious about NA or supporting a loved one. It allows for greater community awareness and inclusivity. |
| Closed Meeting | Attendance is restricted to those with a desire to stop using drugs or who identify as addicts. This environment encourages privacy and focused recovery discussion. |
- It is recommended to arrive early and introduce yourself as a new member to help familiarize yourself.
- Sharing your experiences is optional, based on your comfort level during the meeting.
- New members often receive welcome keychain tags that mark milestones in recovery.
Tag milestones and their meanings include:
- 30 days: Celebrates the first month of continuous sobriety, encouraging persistence.
- 60 days: Marks two months of active recovery effort and commitment.
- 1 year: Represents a full year of sobriety and sustained progress, a significant achievement in the recovery journey.
These tokens serve as motivation and symbolic recognition of personal growth and dedication.