Clutterers Anonymous (CLA)

What Is Clutterers Anonymous (CLA)?

Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) is a 12-step support group for people who feel like they’re drowning in their belongings.

Members of CLA can feel overwhelmed by their belongings, whether it’s emotionally or even physically (as in some hoarding situations), but CLA offers a way forward.

Whether you’re constantly organizing but never feel caught up, or you just can’t seem to let go of things you don’t use, CLA helps you break the cycle and find relief through connection, structure, and support.

Clutter VS. Hoarding: Are They the Same?

While clutter and hoarding can look similar on the surface, they’re not the same thing.

• Clutter typically refers to disorganization or an excess of belongings that create stress, inconvenience, or overwhelm.
• Hoarding, on the other hand, is a recognized mental health condition involving the persistent difficulty discarding items—regardless of their value—often leading to unsafe or unlivable environments.

Not everyone in CLA identifies as a hoarder, and not all clutter stems from hoarding disorder.

Clutterers Anonymous uses the term “clutter” intentionally to welcome a broad range of experiences. 

Some members struggle with chronic disorganization, perfectionism, emotional attachment to objects, or the compulsion to acquire. CLA offers support to anyone who feels trapped by their belongings, no matter where they fall on that spectrum.

Whether you’re dealing with overflowing closets or a home that feels completely out of control, CLA provides tools and support for lasting change—without judgment.

How Does Clutterers Anonymous Work?

Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) follows the 12-step model created by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), with a focus on recovery from the emotional, mental, and spiritual issues that could be influencing a person’s clutter. Members are encouraged to work through the steps, attend regular meetings, and connect with others in the program for mutual support.

CLA is not a cleaning service or organizing method—it’s a fellowship rooted in shared experience, honesty, and long-term personal growth.

There are no fees or requirements to join, and meetings are available in person, by phone, and online to accommodate different needs and schedules.

Some key elements of how CLA works include:

• The 12-Step Framework: Members work through a structured recovery process known as the 12 Steps (adapted to 13 in CLA’s literature).
• Anonymity and Fellowship: Meetings provide a safe space to share without fear of judgment or exposure.
• Spiritual (Not Religious) Principles: CLA encourages members to connect with a Higher Power of their own understanding.
• Sponsorship and Service: More experienced members may serve as sponsors, guiding others through the steps and offering support.
• Self-Supporting Structure: CLA is not affiliated with any commercial or professional organizing service and relies on voluntary contributions.

This program is open to anyone who wants help with clutter, regardless of their background, beliefs, or how clutter shows up in their life. Recovery begins one step at a time.

12 Steps of Clutterers Anonymous

The foundation of Clutterers Anonymous is its 12-step approach to recovery, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous.

These steps help members confront the underlying causes of clutter and build a healthier relationship with their possessions, time, and sense of self. The process emphasizes self-honesty, accountability, spiritual connection, and mutual support.

Below are the 12 Steps of Clutterers Anonymous, as outlined on their official website:

1. We admitted we were powerless over clutter—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 God.
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 God 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 to do 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 God, praying only for knowledge of God’s 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 clutterers and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Who Can Benefit from CLA?

Clutterers Anonymous is open to anyone who feels overwhelmed by clutter, whether it’s physical, emotional, digital, or all of the above.

You don’t need a diagnosis or a certain type of living space to belong. If clutter is interfering with your daily life, relationships, peace of mind, or self-esteem, CLA offers a space to heal and grow.

People who benefit from CLA often include:

• Those who feel anxious, ashamed, or out of control around their clutter
• People who continually acquire items they don’t need or struggle to let go of things
• Individuals who have tried organizing strategies or decluttering methods without lasting success
• Those who recognize emotional patterns like perfectionism, procrastination, fear, or grief behind their clutter
• Anyone seeking support, accountability, and a non-judgmental community

CLA welcomes all backgrounds and beliefs. You don’t need to hit a “rock bottom” or meet specific criteria to begin. If clutter is creating stress or getting in the way of the life you want, this program may be the right fit.

How to Find a Clutterers Anonymous Meeting

Clutterers Anonymous offers a wide range of meeting options to make support as accessible as possible. Whether you prefer to connect in person, over the phone, or online, there are meetings available every day of the week.

To find a meeting:

• Visit the official CLA website’s Find a Meeting page.
• Choose from in-person, phone, or online (Zoom) formats.
• Browse by day, time, format, or language.

Most meetings are open to newcomers—no registration, fees, or pressure to speak.

Meeting types may include speaker shares, step studies, writing sessions, and general discussion groups.

Some are specifically tailored to beginners or those working on certain steps. You’re encouraged to try different meetings to find the format and community that best support your recovery journey.

Tips for Getting Started with CLA

Taking the first step into recovery can feel overwhelming, especially when clutter has been a source of shame or stress for years. Clutterers Anonymous offers a welcoming and non-judgmental space to begin your journey—one meeting, one step, one day at a time.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Try a few different meetings: Each group has its own tone and format. It may take time to find one where you feel most comfortable.
• Listen first, share when you’re ready: You’re never required to speak. Many newcomers find it helpful just to listen at first.
• Download or request CLA literature: Resources like the Clutterers Anonymous Book or the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions booklet can deepen your understanding.
• Be patient with yourself: Recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s okay if things feel slow or uncertain at first.
• Consider asking for a sponsor: Sponsors are experienced members who can guide you through the 12 Steps and offer support and accountability.
• Respect the group’s traditions: Most meetings begin with readings and end with affirmations. Anonymity and mutual respect are core values in CLA.

Remember, you don’t need to have everything “figured out” to begin. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop cluttering.

Find a Meeting Near You

If clutter is taking a toll on your life, you don’t have to face it alone. Clutterers Anonymous offers a supportive, judgment-free community of people who understand the struggle and are finding relief, one step at a time.

To explore upcoming meetings, visit the official CLA meeting directory.

If you’re also facing emotional distress or mental health concerns, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit their online treatment locator. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.