Finding Hope, Healing, and Fellowship Through Narcotics Anonymous

Every Thursday and Friday afternoon, the front conference room at Heart, Love & Soul opens its doors to a fellowship that has quietly transformed countless lives: Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Kitchen manager Terri brews fresh coffee, and people gather to face one of life’s hardest battles—the disease of addiction.

Recently, we sat down with the leader of our Thursday NA meeting, who generously shared his story with us. Because anonymity is a foundational principle of NA—members often share no more than a first name—he asked to remain unnamed. Even without his name, his words carry a powerful message of hope: recovery is possible for anyone willing to try.

What Is NA?

Narcotics Anonymous was founded in 1953, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but with a wider scope. While AA focuses on alcohol, NA addresses addiction in all its forms—drugs, alcohol, gambling, compulsive behaviors, and more.

NA recognizes that the real struggle is not only the substance itself, but also the pain, trauma, and inner conflicts that drive people toward self-destruction. As our NA leader explained:

“It’s not just about the drug you put in your body—it’s about why you put it there. NA helps you find out who you are, and then grow to love who you are, so you don’t have to go back to chemicals that destroy you.”

NA meetings are free, open to all, and grounded in the idea that no one has to recover alone. Members share their stories, support one another, and walk through recovery together—one day, and sometimes one moment, at a time.

A Life Nearly Lost

The leader’s journey began with feelings of inadequacy and a longing to escape reality. Growing up, he admits he was “spoiled” and shielded from responsibility. When adulthood came, reality felt unbearable. Drugs and alcohol became his escape—numbing pain, shame, and self-loathing.

“Once we feel good, we’re not satisfied. We want to feel better. And that’s the problem with us—we always want more. Whatever makes us feel good, it’s never enough.”

This cycle led him deeper into addiction. When his mother—his biggest supporter and enabler—passed away, he fell into daily drinking that nearly cost him his life.

By 2011, he was bedridden, swollen with edema, and unable to walk. His niece broke down his door, carried him to the hospital, and later took him into her home. She cared for him for four years and refused to let him return to his old ways.

“She gave me no choice but to live,” he reflected.

A New Foundation

That moment was a turning point, but recovery didn’t happen overnight. At first, he admitted, he stayed sober “for her.” It took years before he embraced sobriety for himself.

Through NA, he began to see that addiction wasn’t only about using—it was about the person he had become and the wounds he carried from childhood. Trauma, abuse, loss, and self-doubt had all fueled his disease. NA gave him tools to face those truths.

“The hardest part is saving yourself from yourself. I realized my biggest trigger wasn’t drugs, alcohol, or even certain situations. My trigger was me. And NA taught me how to live with myself.”

Lessons Learned

Nearly 15 years later, he continues to attend meetings, see counselors, and mentor others in recovery. He sponsors about eight people directly, but countless others look to him for guidance. He tells each one the same thing:

“You’re always going to get the thoughts and the feelings—but you don’t have to act on them.”

He explained that recovery is not about being “cured.” Addiction, he believes, is lifelong—the disease waits for moments of weakness. But with honesty and community, people can learn to recognize those thoughts for what they are and choose differently.

The Power of Fellowship

What makes NA so powerful is not only the program, but the community it creates. Members share openly—sometimes raw, sometimes painful. In society, people are often told not to complain, to “just try harder.” In NA, sharing struggles is seen as an act of courage.

“We come here to tell the truth about why we hurt. It’s not complaining—it’s survival. By talking about it, we can make it through the day without numbing ourselves.”

He describes NA as a place where people can crawl in broken—still using, still hurting—and still be welcomed.

“If you’re nodding out in the chair, you’re in the right place. Because you came. And that’s the start.”

A Life Rebuilt

Since getting sober, he has not only rebuilt his health but also pursued education. After dropping out decades earlier, he returned to school and eventually earned both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

More importantly, he rebuilt relationships—with his siblings, his community, and himself. He speaks today about empathy, forgiveness, and understanding—values he once never imagined living by.

“I had to lose who I thought I was to find out who I really am. And the real me is someone I can live with today.”

NA at Heart, Love & Soul

At Heart, Love & Soul, we are honored to host the Courage to Change NA group every Thursday at 12:30 p.m., along with additional meetings on Fridays. These meetings are open to anyone seeking support—whether they are new to recovery, returning after relapse, or simply curious to learn more.

Our NA leader’s story reminds us that addiction does not define a person—and recovery is always possible. His words carry a message of resilience:

“You don’t have to do this alone. We can’t cure addiction, but together, we can live with it—and live better than we ever thought possible.”

Thinking About Attending an NA Meeting?

What to Expect:

• Meetings are free and open to anyone seeking recovery.
• You’ll find people from all walks of life sharing honestly.
• You don’t need to speak if you’re not ready—just listening is okay.
• There is no judgment. Everyone is there for the same reason: to get better.

 

How to Find a Meeting:

• At Heart, Love & Soul: Courage to Change meets Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.; additional NA meetings are held on Fridays.
• Local Listings: Visit www.na.org and use the meeting search tool to find times and locations near you.
• Virtual Meetings: Online NA meetings are also available for those unable to attend in person.

Remember: the first step is simply showing up.