One of the reasons that some of us don’t really enjoy traditional 12-Step meetings is because of the repeated use of the word “God.” If that resonates with you, you might find LifeRing’s secular recovery helpful. Americanaddictioncenters.org needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding. Evan O’Donnell is an NYC-based content strategist with four years’ experience writing and editing in the recovery space. He https://en.forexrobotron.info/ has conducted research in sound, cognition, and community building, has a background in independent music marketing, and continues to work as a composer. Evan is a deep believer in fact-based, empathic communication—within business, arts, academia, or any space where words drive action or change lives. This Naked Mind is an online alcohol awareness program that incorporates community and a variety of informational products.

In addition, some AA groups do not allow or condone the use of Suboxone, methadone or other pharmacological treatments for addiction disorders, but instead insist on sobriety from all substances. However, if they aren’t working out, S.M.A.R.T. Recovery is another fellowship that’s been gaining popularity in recent years. While AA is the best known, operating in 180 nations worldwide, it is definitely not the only solution to treating alcoholism today. If certain aspects of AA make you uncomfortable, consider one of the following organizations, all of which have proven themselves as viable treatment alternatives to AA.

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At Ria, we offer weekly meetings with certified counselors to help members stay on track and build skills for long-term change. You may find that you enjoy certain aspects of AA, but also require additional recovery support from non-AA recovery treatments. There is no “one true path” to changing your relationship with drinking. Naltrexone is a prescription medication that immediately reduces the “buzz” of alcohol and curbs cravings in the long term . Unlike other treatments that require immediate abstinence, the Sinclair Method allows you to keep drinking when you start naltrexone. The good news is there are many other paths to help you moderate or manage your alcohol use, or to achieve full sobriety.

The literature includes four books by founder Jean Kirkpatrick and over 50 booklets and workbooks, along with audio and video recordings. There are about 62 peer-led WFS meetings nationally and 10 peer-led meetings in Canada, with approximately 4 participants per meeting; additionally, about 24 treatment/recovery centers host WFS meetings led by treatment staff. Participants a) take turns reading the Thirteen Statements/Affirmations, the risks of using alcohol to relieve anxiety 2) discuss a topic for the week, and finally 3) share something positive that happened during the week. The recovery goal is abstinence only (personal communications with WFS Executive Director Becky Fenner, 2016; Fenner & Gifford, 2012; Women for Sobriety, 2016). Compared to 12-step members, members of the mutual help alternatives were less religious and generally higher on education and income.

SMART Recovery

If you’re a woman and you’d like to be surrounded by other women during recovery, consider the non-profit organization Women For Sobriety . WFS supports women who are struggling with substance use disorders. Attend your online meetings from your phone and consult all our online information, tools, resources at any time. When you take part in SMART Insiders+, our only recurring donation program, you will help others who seek a balanced and healthy life beyond addiction. For as little as $7/month, you will provide materials and other resources to volunteers who connect directly with SMART participants seeking recovery.

WFS and LifeRing members were also older, more likely to be married, and lower on lifetime drug and psychiatric severity; meanwhile, LifeRing and SMART members were less likely to endorse the most stringent abstinence goal. Finally, despite lower levels of in-person meeting attendance, members of all the 12-step alternatives showed equivalent activity involvement and higher levels of satisfaction and cohesion, compared to 12-step members. Nevertheless, 12-step groups are not appealing to many, and providers have had limited success in cultivating consistent, long-term engagement among clients seeking substance abuse treatment. Further, courts and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) routinely recommend or mandate 12-step involvement, often requiring signed attendance slips (Mäkelä et al., 1996; Speiglman, 1997). Accordingly, large majorities of those participating in formal treatment report attending at least one 12-step meeting (Kaskutas, Ye, Greenfield, Witbrodt, & Bond, 2008).

Associated Data

We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. Twelve Steps.” However, modern approaches to addiction treatment and peer recovery support have helped develop and influence new alternatives to AA as society changes. Many people still use 12-Step programs like AA to support their long-term recovery after they’ve completed residential treatment or while they go through an intensive outpatient program . SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Recovery is a 501 non-profit recovery organization that focuses on self-empowerment using evidence-based methods including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement principles. Its mission is to “help participants gain independence from any problematic addictive behavior.” Group meetings support individuals’ ability to control their own behavior, and while also providing tools for achieving a happy, healthy and productive life.

In fact, spirituality isn’t a core component of this program, either. Rehabs.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding. Khadi Oluwatoyin couldn’t find a recovery program that connected with her experiences, so she created her own. In addition to charging fees, which she defends, McKowen receives criticism for something she also sees as an issue. People of color are underrepresented in AA, with 89% of members in North America identifying as white, according to AA’s most recent survey, and that doesn’t seem to be changing with newer programs.

Holistic Treatment

The overall focus is to enhance the sober self while diminishing the power of the addict self. When New York-based attorney Khadi Oluwatoyin couldn’t find a recovery program that connected with her experiences, she created her own. “As the recovery realm expands, our conversations needs to expand as well,” she said. In 2018, she founded Sober Black Girls Club, a free online collective Black women and non-binary people “living or considering beautiful sober lives”. Finding a support group that’s right for you is a matter of deciding how and with whom you want to recover and exploring the available resources.

A Sober Girls Guide is one of a cohort of online sobriety groups that became popular as more people grappled with sobriety early in the pandemic, and they appear to be here to stay. They have less rigid standards than AA, which has dominated the alcohol recovery space since its founding in 1935. Most of these online programs alcohol addiction symptoms, abuse stats, withdrawal effects charge membership fees, and are run by paid staff, which is in sharp contrast to the free, completely non-hierarchical and volunteer-run AA model. Mutual help groups are an appealing resource for recovery from addiction because they are accessible and free, and can be used before, after, and instead of formal treatment.

Secular Organizations For Sobriety (SOS)

12-step programs tend to treat every addiction the same, regardless of substance, circumstance or cause. Tempest is an integrated, evidence-based digital recovery program for anyone who wants to stop drinking and feel better. Whether you’re trying to quit drinking or you’re already sober, Tempest combines a personalized approach to recovery with membership and one-on-one support to help you make a lasting change. This addiction recovery support group is for women with substance abuse disorders, including AUD.

• The sponsor becomes the key contact during a relapse or high-risk situation.
• Though AA may be the most well-known solution for alcohol abuse, it is far from the only one.
• We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful.
• But many people are unable to stick with them and go back to abusing alcohol.
• Self-Management and Recovery Training is a community of mutual support groups.

This online-only community is worldwide, which makes it easy to connect with like-minded women who are friendly, non-judgmental, and helping each other kick the booze and stay sober. All you need to do to join is to create a profile and look around through their wealth of information on ditching the drink, personal stories, and lots of advice to help each other work towards a happier, healthier you. We’re a modern recovery company that helps you stop drinking and start feeling better.By using evidence-based treatment and peer support, we can provide you with the education, tools, and community you need to recover. Dr. Alex Lee is a Doctor of Social Work and clinical expert in the fields of addiction, mental health, and trauma. He has designed numerous evidence-based interventions; led large teams in military, academic, government, nonprofit, and community settings; managed start-up virtual health clinics in the US & Canada; and served as a Professor at the University of Denver.

A 2002 study with 279 people compared AA and similar 12-step programs with other forms of psychosocial treatment. Researchers found that 24% of AA or 12-step participants remained fully abstinent from alcohol after 12 months . While its effectiveness and success is well documented, it is also clear that it does not work for everyone.

The Hip Sobriety School and Group Coaching is an eight-week, paid virtual course for anyone who is currently in recovery or thinking about quitting drinking. The course includes a weekly teaching video; virtual face-to-face meetings once or twice weekly; a daily affirmation email; weekly and daily assignments; and participation opportunities. This Naked Mind Facebook page has over 5,000 members and adds another layer of support for people in recovery or for those who are thinking about changing their relationship with alcohol. The main purpose of group meetings is to reinforce participants’ motivation to stay sober. SoberGrid might just be a good place to start building a support network for those who feel natural doing everything, including finding new sober friends, on their phone. The company also offers 24/7 peer coaching for those who need assistance with their recovery.

But beyond that, Tell Better Stories is forming a community of women who understand that lifestyle media and female-centric marketing promoting alcohol is highly problematic. This support group hopes to provide opportunities for women who are balancing recovery and parental responsibilities to share with their peers about the ups, downs, and unique challenges of this lifestyle. Because “living a sober/more sober life can be challenging enough without judgment from others.” At the end of the day, the recovery journey is about supporting each other every step of the way, no matter what. The program has in-person meetings in the US and Canada and other locations across the world. They also have online meetings for those that don’t want to or can’t attend regular meetings.