Find AA, NA, Smart Recovery, Al-Anon, and Celebrate Recovery meetings near you.
Understanding the different meeting programs can help you find the right fit for your recovery journey.
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of people who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. AA members share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
AA is built on the Twelve Steps, a set of guiding principles for recovery from addiction. The program emphasizes admitting powerlessness over alcohol, seeking help from a Higher Power (as each member understands it), making amends for past wrongs, and helping other alcoholics. AA does not align with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution. Meetings may be "open" (anyone can attend) or "closed" (only for those with a desire to stop drinking).
Visit Official Website →Narcotics Anonymous is a global community-based organization for recovering addicts. Founded in 1953, NA offers a recovery process and peer support network linked together. NA sprang from the Alcoholics Anonymous program of the late 1940s and was founded by Jimmy Kinnon. NA offers recovery from the effects of addiction through working a twelve-step program, including regular attendance at group meetings. The group atmosphere provides help from peers and offers an ongoing support network for addicts who wish to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.
NA follows the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions adapted from AA. The program teaches that addiction is a disease that affects every area of life. NA makes no distinction between drugs including alcohol — the focus is on the disease of addiction itself, not any particular substance. Members share that through working the steps, attending meetings regularly, and building a support network, they have found freedom from active addiction. NA has no opinion on outside issues and is not affiliated with any other organization.
Visit Official Website →SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a global community of people and families working together to resolve addictive problems. SMART Recovery offers free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups for abstaining from any substance or activity addiction. The program uses evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and motivational interviewing. Unlike 12-step programs, SMART Recovery does not use sponsors, chips, or the concept of powerlessness.
SMART Recovery is built on a 4-Point Program: (1) Building and Maintaining Motivation, (2) Coping with Urges, (3) Managing Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors, (4) Living a Balanced Life. The program teaches self-reliance and self-empowerment rather than powerlessness. It views addiction as a maladaptive behavior that can be changed through cognitive and behavioral techniques. SMART Recovery is secular and science-based — it does not incorporate spiritual concepts or belief in a Higher Power, making it an alternative for those who prefer a non-faith-based approach.
Visit Official Website →Al-Anon Family Groups provide support for the families and friends of alcoholics and addicts. Founded in 1951 by Lois Wilson (wife of AA co-founder Bill Wilson) and Anne B., Al-Anon helps members recover from the effects of living with someone else's problem drinking or drug use. Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (typically teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, or institution.
Al-Anon's program of recovery is adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous' Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. The program teaches that alcoholism is a family disease and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Members learn they did not cause the addiction, cannot cure it, and cannot control it (the Three C's). Through sharing experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, members learn to focus on their own spiritual and emotional growth, develop detachment with love, and find serenity regardless of whether the alcoholic chooses to get help.
Visit Official Website →Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain, or addiction of any kind. Founded in 1991 by John Baker at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, the program has helped more than 5 million people. Celebrate Recovery meetings typically include a large group worship time, a teaching or testimony, and small gender-specific share groups. The program addresses a wide range of issues including chemical dependency, codependency, sexual addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, anger, depression, and more.
Celebrate Recovery uses Eight Recovery Principles based on the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, along with a Christ-centered version of the Twelve Steps. The program's foundation is that Jesus Christ is the one and only Higher Power. Meetings follow a structured format: worship, teaching, small groups, and a dessert fellowship (called Solid Rock Cafe). Celebrate Recovery emphasizes that everyone has hurts, habits, and hang-ups, and that through the power of Jesus Christ, the fellowship of other believers, and working the biblical steps, lasting life change is possible.
Visit Official Website →Select a state to find community-based recovery meetings near you.
Community-based recovery meetings are free, peer-led gatherings where people come together to support one another in their journey toward healing and sobriety. Whether you're struggling with alcohol, drugs, or the impact of a loved one's addiction, there is a meeting for you.
These meetings operate independently of treatment centers and hospitals. They are run by volunteers who have personal experience with addiction and recovery. Most meetings are free to attend, though voluntary contributions may be collected to cover room rental and refreshments.
Open meetings welcome anyone — people in recovery, family members, students, professionals, or anyone curious about the recovery process. Closed meetings are reserved for people who identify as having the specific issue addressed.
All meetings maintain strict anonymity. What is shared in the meeting stays in the meeting. You do not need to provide your last name. The only requirement is a willingness to listen and, when you're ready, to share.