Finding a Peer Support Group That Fits
Look for a meeting where the purpose, approach and practical arrangements fit the support you want. Use the organizer’s current information, then decide what you want to try.
For: People seeking help or planning their own support · 2 PDF pages
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Mutual-support groups bring people together around recovery experiences. NIAAA describes several options and notes that these groups usually are not led by clinicians. They can sit alongside professional care; they are not a substitute for individual medical advice. The examples below come from NIAAA’s alcohol-treatment guidance.
Sources: [1]
Some starting points, not a ranking
| Option listed by NIAAA | What to explore |
|---|---|
| Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) | Alcohol recovery and a 12-step approach with a spiritual component. |
| LifeRing | A secular peer-support approach to abstinence from alcohol and other drugs. |
| SMART Recovery | A program emphasizing motivation, coping, problem solving and life balance. |
| Women for Sobriety | A self-help program designed by and for women. |
Sources: [1]
Find current meeting information
These are examples, not every option or a recommendation that you join one. The organization names and links are listed by NIAAA; local availability and each meeting’s arrangements still need checking.
Sources: [1]
Questions before a first meeting
- Who is this meeting for, and what does a newcomer do? Is speaking optional?
- Is it online or in person, at what time and time zone, and is access or booking required?
- What beliefs, recovery goals or expectations shape the group?
- How does the group approach prescribed addiction medicines and other professional care?
- What are the privacy expectations, costs and accessibility arrangements?
- Is there an organizer I can contact before attending?
Choose a first option
- Meeting and confirmed arrangements
- Name; organizer/official contact; time/location; access needs; what is still unconfirmed.
- After trying it, if I choose to
- What felt useful or uncomfortable? What question do I want to ask? Return, try a different meeting, or choose another kind of support?