Recovery Groups
Recovery Groups
People seeking or in long-term recovery, along with their families and loved ones, have a growing number of mutual aid groups to choose to participate in. Some of these groups are online and others hold in-person/face-to-face meetings in communities across the country. Helping others as part of a mutual aid group is an important way that many people have sustained their personal long-term recovery.
Purpose
Find out about the growing number and scope of volunteer recovery mutual aid groups. This one-stop resource is for people in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder, their families and friends, addiction treatment service providers, and other allied service professionals. Numerous research studies have shown that mutual aid groups play a significant role in the process of recovery. Here you can learn about the many varieties of online and in-person mutual aid groups that are helping people find and sustain their recovery from substance use disorder.
History
The Guide to Mutual Aid Resources was developed by Ernest and Linda Kurtz for the Behavioral Health Recovery Management project in 2001. In 2005, the Guide moved to Faces & Voices of Recovery. Ernest Kurtz continued to manage it with the help of committee members Mike Boyle, Linda Kurtz, Pat Taylor and Bill White. In 2009, Lora Passetti and Bill White took over responsibility for working with committee members to update the Guide. In 2009, Faces & Voices of Recovery received funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Partner for Recovery Initiative to enhance the Guide.
Email us at info@facesandvoicesofrecovery.org with your ideas and suggestions.
Faces & Voices of Recovery as an organization honors all pathways of recovery.
Guide to Recovery Groups
Marijuana Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous is a 12-Step fellowship that addresses the common problem of marijuana addiction. There are in-person and online meetings. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. The website offers daily online meetings led by a volunteer and a chat room. In addition they offer literature and an online newsletter.
Meetings (in 39 states and nine foreign countries) and online.
Millati Islam
National. Founded 1989. 50 groups including prison-based meetings.
Millati Islami is a fellowship of men and women, joined together on the Path of Peace. We share our experiences, strengths, and hopes while recovering from our active addiction to mind- and mood-altering substances. Following Millati Islami’s 12 Steps to Recovery, members look to Allah (G-D) to guide us on Millati Islami (the Path of Peace). While recovering, we strive to become rightly guided Muslims, submitting our will and services to Allah. members look to Allah (G-D) to guide us on Millati Islami (the Path of Peace). While recovering, we strive to become rightly guided Muslims, submitting our will and services to Allah.
Moderation Management (MM)
MM groups support problem drinkers who want to reduce their drinking and make other positive lifestyle changes and is for people who have experienced mild to moderate levels of alcohol-related problems. Moderation Management’s online support group is for people who want to limit their alcohol intake without total abstinence. MM requires that participants begin with abstinence for 30 days and recommends AA or another abstinence program for who cannot follow “the MM limits.”
Founded 1993. In-person meetings in 17 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, WV) and online.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
Nar-Anon Family Groups is a 12-Step program for relatives and friends who are concerned about the addiction or drug problem of another. Nar-Anon’s program of recovery is adapted from Narcotics Anonymous and uses Nar-Anon’s Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts. Nar-Anon literature is available on its website.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
NA is a fellowship of men and women who come together for the purpose of sharing their recovery from drug abuse. NA members are working together in a spirit of unity and cooperation to carry their message of recovery. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. NA members share their successes and challenges in overcoming active addiction and living drug-free, productive lives through the application of principles contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of NA. Information is available in several languages, on audio tapes and in Braille.
NA has meetings for young people, women and other groups.
Founded 1953. Over 61,000 in-person groups in US and 129 countries.
Nicotine Anonymous (NICA)
Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women helping each other to live our lives free of nicotine. “The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using nicotine.” Information available in 13 languages.
Founded 1980. In-person meetings (36 states and 35 countries) and online.
Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous
The Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous was formed to serve all online AA Groups in the rapidly growing online Fellowship. It offers links to international sites in several languages and sponsors real time meetings, email meetings, events calendar, information and links to other sites and groups. The number and variety of online groups available for U.S.A. participants is truly extraordinary. More information can be found here. Membership in the Intergroup is open to all online AA groups and all AA members. There are no dues or fees for membership.
Opiates Anonymous
Opiates Anonymous is a 12 step fellowship whose members have a desire to stop using opiates and all other mind altering substances. Our members share their experience on how they have recovered from a hopeless state so that they may help others to recover. We do not endorse nor oppose any outside causes. We wish to stay free from any controversy. We are not affiliated with any political organizations, religions, sects, or denominations. Our Seventh Tradition states that we are fully self-supporting declining outside contributions. The only membership requirement is a desire to stop using opiates and all other mind-altering substances. Our Fifth Tradition states that our primary purpose is to carry the message to the addict who still suffers. Our 12 Step Recovery Program is based on the instructions in the first 164 pages of the book Alcoholics Anonymous because our experience has shown us that it is simple and that it works.
Overcomers Outreach
Overcomers Outreach are Christian recovery support groups using the 12 Steps and scripture. The ministry offers support to those with a wide variety of mental health and addiction problems including depression, relationship difficulties, and more. Everyone is welcome at their meetings. The groups operate within local churches and community. Overcomers Outreach Online includes blogs, stories and comments. Overcomers Outreach also has a radio show.
Founded 1977. Over 1,000 in-person groups and online.
Recoveries Anonymous
RA is a 12-Step spiritual recovery program that is “solution focused” for all problems and behaviors including addiction. Anyone seeking a solution for any kind of addiction, problem or behavior. Families and friends welcome.
Founded 1981. 50 chapters.
Recovering Couples Anonymous
A fellowship of couples, many of whom participate in other 12-Step fellowships. RCA members are working to solve their common problems and help other recovering couples restore their relationships. The only requirement for RCA membership is a desire to remain in a committed relationship. Click here to locate an in-person meeting and here for online and telephone meetings.
Founded 1988.
Recovery International
A community mental health mutual aid group that offers a self-help method of will training; a system of techniques for controlling temperamental behavior and changing attitudes toward nervous symptoms, anxiety, depression, anger and fears. Online chat groups and telephone meetings.
Founded 1937. Over 700 in-person groups and online.