AA and NA have been around since the 1930s. These programs have helped many people, but there have always been those for whom they don’t work. In the past few decades, we’ve seen more recovery options with effective alternatives to AA/NA that provide different roads to recovery. These alternative groups still rely on peer support and provide tools to minimize relapse. Most of these programs are free to join.
Here’s a list of a few alternative programs to help you find the approach that’s right for you.
Non-Secular Recovery Meetings
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.
Recovery Dharma
This group believes that recovery means empowerment, and its members support each other as partners walking the path together.
Refuge Recovery
Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-oriented, non-theistic recovery program that does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to trust the process and do the hard work of recovery.
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety (WFS) is the first peer-support program tailored specifically for women overcoming substance use disorders (SUDs).
Secular Meetings
SMART
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) mutual support meetings are free and open to anyone seeking science-based, self-empowered addiction recovery.
LifeRing
LifeRing Secular Recovery is an organization of people who share practical experiences and sobriety support.
Harm Reduction Works
The community-based organization HRH413 developed Harm Reduction Works–HRW in response to the need for a harm reduction–based alternative to abstinence-only self-help/mutual aid groups.
HAMS: Harm Reduction for Alcohol
The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is primarily about providing support for people who wish to reduce or eliminate the harm in their lives caused by the use of the “soft” drugs alcohol, marijuana, nicotine and/or caffeine.
Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous (MARA)
Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous is a support group of people who believe in the value of medication as a means to recovery.
Family Recovery Meetings
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a mutual support group of peers who share their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles to problems related to the effects of someone in their lives with alcohol issues.
Alateen
Alateen is a peer support group for teens who are struggling with the effects of someone else’s problematic alcohol use.
Nar-Anon and Narateen
The Nar-Anon Family Groups is primarily for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone very near to you.
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