The short answer
For AA meetings in Jacksonville, use the meeting list from Northeast Florida Intergroup, the local AA service office. For NA, use the meeting finder from the First Coast Area of Narcotics Anonymous. Both are run by the fellowships’ local groups, so they are the place to check before you go.
Prefer to talk to someone? Northeast Florida Intergroup lists a 24 hour hotline at 904-399-8535 on its website.
Where to look
| Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) | Narcotics Anonymous (NA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Local list | Northeast Florida Intergroup meeting list | The First Coast Area of Narcotics Anonymous meeting finder |
| National site | The Find A.A. page on aa.org lists local AA resources | The Find NA page on na.org lists local NA websites and phonelines, plus a virtual meeting finder |
| Talk to someone | Northeast Florida Intergroup’s 24 hour hotline: 904-399-8535 | The Find NA page lists local phonelines |
How to use the official lists
A note on aa.org: its Find A.A. page says the site doesn’t contain a meeting finder of its own. It sends you to local resources, which is why the Northeast Florida Intergroup list is the one to use for this area. AA also says its Meeting Guide app, for iOS and Android, helps people find meetings and resources near them, with data supplied by AA service entities.
The Intergroup list includes in-person and Zoom meetings, and you can filter by type. Check the list on the day you plan to go, since a meeting can change or move without much notice.
Why we don’t list times or addresses
We want you to be able to trust what you read here. A meeting list on a site like ours would go out of date, and showing up to an empty room is the last thing a nervous person needs. The local lists are kept by the fellowships themselves.
What to expect at a first meeting
AA and NA are free mutual support groups, not treatment. There are no dues or fees, and you don’t have to sign up. AA’s only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. NA’s is a desire to stop using.
- Open meetings welcome anyone, including family members and friends who want to come along.
- Closed meetings are for people who have, or think they may have, a problem with alcohol or drugs. Check the list before you bring someone with you.
- You can just listen. No one has to speak or share their story.
- Not every group feels the same. If the first one isn’t a fit, try another.
If your loved one takes medication for opioid use or a mental health condition, they should follow their doctor’s advice, not advice from a meeting. Decisions about medication belong with the prescriber.
Meetings and treatment work differently
Meetings can be a strong part of recovery, and many people use them alongside treatment or as aftercare. But they don’t replace medical care. If your loved one drinks heavily every day or uses opioids or sedatives, they should talk with a doctor before stopping, because withdrawal can be dangerous. In an emergency, call 911. For a crisis, call or text 988.
Who else can help
If you are the family member
- AA and NA are for the person with the substance use
- Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are for you. See Al-Anon and Nar-Anon in Jacksonville
- Our guide to caring for yourself may help too
If 12-step meetings aren’t a fit
- Ask a counselor about other mutual support groups, such as SMART Recovery
- Ask a treatment program what its alumni or aftercare groups offer
- Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free referrals
Questions about AA and NA in Jacksonville
How much do AA and NA meetings cost?
Nothing. There are no dues or fees. Many groups pass a basket for voluntary donations, and newcomers don’t need to give.
Can I go to a meeting with my loved one?
Yes, if it is an open meeting. Closed meetings are for people with a substance use problem. The meeting list shows which is which.
Do I have to believe in God to go?
AA and NA talk about a higher power, and the idea means different things to different people. Many groups say each person can define it for themselves. If it doesn’t sit right, try another group, or ask about non-12-step options.
Are meetings anonymous?
Anonymity is a core value, and members are asked to keep what they hear private. Still, a meeting isn’t a legal privacy setting like a treatment program. For how that works, read is rehab confidential.
Are meetings enough on their own?
For some people, they can be a big help. For others, especially with severe use or withdrawal risk, medical care and treatment should come first. Our level of care guide can help you decide, and our other rehab questions cover the next steps.