Santa Monica, California NA Meetings

NA Meetings in Santa Monica: The Basics

Narcotics Anonymous is a free, peer-led fellowship for anyone who wants to stop using drugs. There are no fees, and the only requirement to attend is a desire to stop. Santa Monica is served by the Westside Area of NA, part of the Southern California Region, with meetings in several formats and online options. The area helpline is often the fastest way to find a current meeting near you.

• NA area: Westside Area (Southern California Region), helpline 310-390-0279
• Meeting formats: open, closed, discussion, speaker, candlelight, and virtual
• Cost: always free; groups accept voluntary contributions only

Where to Look for NA Meetings Near Santa Monica

The finder above shows meetings closest to the location you enter, not only those inside Santa Monica. On the Westside the nearest group is often in a neighboring community:

• In-person meetings in Culver City, Venice, Mar Vista, and West Los Angeles.
• More groups up the coast toward Malibu.
• Virtual meetings you can join from home, listed alongside the in-person options.

Santa Monica sits at the western end of the Metro E Line, whose Downtown Santa Monica station connects the Westside to the wider county, so many meetings are reachable without a car. To find a meeting by phone, call the Westside Area helpline at 310-390-0279 or the 24-hour regional line at 1-800-863-2962 (in Spanish, 1-888-622-4672). For the wider county view, see the Los Angeles page or the full California directory.

The Overdose Picture on the Westside

Overdose deaths have fallen sharply nationally and across Los Angeles County over the past two years, and the Westside has been part of that improvement. The figures below describe the United States and Los Angeles County, which reports data for the Westside as Service Planning Area 5. The county does not publish separate counts for the city of Santa Monica.

• 69,973 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025, down about 14 percent from 2024 and the third straight annual decline. CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, provisional 2025.
• Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Los Angeles County fell to 1,135 in 2025, down from a peak of 2,001 in 2023. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 2025.
• The West service area (Service Planning Area 5), which includes Santa Monica, had one of the largest declines in fentanyl overdose deaths of any part of the county from 2023 to 2025. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 2025.

Figures are national and county-level. The West service area figure describes Service Planning Area 5, which also covers Culver City, Venice, and nearby communities.

The steady local decline is encouraging, and fentanyl remains present in the drug supply. Carrying naloxone and knowing the signs of an overdose stay worthwhile for anyone affected by drug use.

Beyond Meetings: Treatment Near Santa Monica

NA works well alongside professional treatment, and many people use both. Care is usually organized in levels: medically supervised detox for withdrawal, residential or inpatient programs, and outpatient care that lets you live at home while attending sessions. A clinician can help you decide which level fits.

For opioid use disorder, medications for opioid use disorder (methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone) are the evidence-based standard of care, supported by SAMHSA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. They complement NA rather than replace it, and attending meetings while taking a prescribed medication is fully consistent with recovery.

To find local programs, search by ZIP code at FindTreatment.gov or call the free SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357, available 24 hours a day. Los Angeles County residents can also reach the county Substance Abuse Service Helpline at 1-844-804-7500 for no-cost treatment referrals.

Overdose Prevention and Naloxone

Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose and is safe to give even if you are not sure opioids are involved. In California it is widely available:

• Pharmacies: naloxone nasal spray (Narcan and generic versions) is sold over the counter, with no prescription needed.
• Free state supply: California’s Naloxone Distribution Project provides free naloxone and fentanyl test strips through community organizations.
• County resources: the Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control program supports naloxone education and distribution, and RecoverLA.org lists local pickup options.

California’s Good Samaritan protections shield a person who acts in good faith to help during an overdose, so in an emergency the priority is to call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.

Emergency and Crisis Contacts

For a suspected overdose or any medical emergency, call 911 first.

• 911 suspected overdose or medical emergency
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call or text, 24/7
• 1-844-804-7500 Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Service Helpline, 24/7, English and Spanish
• 1-800-662-4357 SAMHSA National Helpline, free and confidential, 24/7
• 310-390-0279 Westside Area NA helpline (regional line: 1-800-863-2962)

Questions People Ask About Santa Monica Meetings

Are there NA meetings in Santa Monica?

Yes. Santa Monica has NA meetings in several formats, and more groups run nearby in Culver City, Venice, and across the Westside.

Are NA meetings free?

Yes. Narcotics Anonymous never charges dues or fees. Groups pass a basket for voluntary contributions to cover expenses, but you are never required to give.

What if there is no NA meeting in Santa Monica today?

You have options. The finder shows nearby in-person meetings across the Westside, and the local schedule includes online meetings you can join from anywhere, so it is usually possible to reach a meeting the same day.

Are there virtual NA meetings I can join near Santa Monica?

Yes. Virtual meetings are part of the local schedule and appear in the finder above. They are useful if you cannot travel or would rather start from home.

What is the difference between an open and a closed meeting?

Open meetings welcome anyone, including family members and people who are simply curious about NA. Closed meetings are reserved for people who use drugs or think they might have a problem.

How can I get to a meeting without a car?

The Metro E Line and Big Blue Bus serve Santa Monica and connect it with the wider Westside, so many meetings are reachable by transit. The area helpline can help you find a group near a stop.

About This Directory

Narcotics.com is an independent resource and is not affiliated with Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Meeting details can change, so confirm times and locations with the group or the area helpline before you go. Narcotics.com may be compensated for some links or featured resources on the site, which does not affect the meeting information provided here.

Related Pages

• Medical detox: what to expect
• Heroin: effects, dangers, and treatment
• Opioids: risks and treatment options