Drug Addiction Support Groups & Recovery Support Meetings

What Are Support Group Meetings?

Group meetings may take different formats, depending on the program’s structure and the group’s needs. Sometimes, a facilitator leads group meetings, while other times, meetings are member-led. Typically, you’ll hear group members share their experiences with drugs and/or alcohol, as well as how they’re working to continue their sobriety.³ There are many different types of support groups that you can explore, including both secular and non-secular options.

12-Step Recovery Meetings

Many people who are in recovery find that 12-Step recovery meetings are a good fit for supporting ongoing sobriety. There are both religious and non-religious 12-Step meetings, the most well-known being Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Steps followed in 12-Step meetings include:⁴

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of. His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Alternatives to 12-Step Meetings

If you’re not religious, or you are simply looking for secular recovery meetings, you have plenty of options outside of Alcoholics Anonymous, including these popular alternatives to 12-step meetings:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness support groups: Designed for people living with mental health conditions (including substance use disorder), NAMI groups meet weekly or bi-weekly. Virtual meetings are available.⁵
• SMART Recovery: This science-based recovery program uses rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help members gain and maintain their sobriety. Virtual meetings are available.⁶

Find a Recovery Meeting Near You

While you’re in treatment, it’s likely that your care providers will connect you with on-site recovery groups. Checking your desired support group’s website can be a smart way to find addiction recovery meetings near me. You can also talk with your counselor, therapist, or addiction specialist to learn more about recovery meetings in your area.

Common Recovery Support Groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
• Marijuana Anonymous.
• Cocaine Anonymous.
• Crystal Meth Anonymous.
• Emotions Anonymous.
• Sexaholics Anonymous.
• Gamblers Anonymous.
• Codependents Anonymous.

Online & Virtual Support Meetings=

Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery support groups typically offer online and virtual meetings in addition to in-person meetings. Virtual meetings can be an excellent alternative if you work a difficult schedule, live in a remote area, or have other issues that make it difficult for you to get to in-person meetings. Check your desired group’s website for more information on how you can participate in virtual meetings.

Start Your Recovery

If you’re ready to begin the recovery process, help is available. Explore popular rehab facilities in the United States.