Recovery Programs

12-Step Programs

Twelve-step programs have long been an important part of the recovery process and the basis for many recovery programs. Developed over 65 years ago by a small group of alcoholics, the AA program provides simple tools for living based on a set of spiritual principles and a reliance on the fellowship of men and women who share their experience and offer their support as part of a lifelong process of recovery. This approach has since been adapted for the treatment of many other addictions, and now includes other self-supporting fellowships such as CA and NA.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org) A twelve-step program for people in recovery from alcohol abuse. The site provides an online list of central offices and groups in the U.S. and Canada, meeting contact information, a description of the 12-steps and traditions, a listing of AA literature and a bulletin board.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Continental European Region (www.aa-europe.net) AA meetings can be located by clicking on a map, a country name, or by entering the name of a city and country in a search box. The web site also lists events and offers a subscription online newsletter service.

Some drug addicts prefer AA to NA or CA.

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) (www.ca.org) This twelve-step program is for people in recovery from cocaine and other drugs. The site describes the twelve-steps and traditions and provides a self-test, a meeting starter kit and CA literature. Under "Local Phones & Links", referral phone numbers are listed by state in the US, with contact numbers provided for Canada, the UK and the Netherlands as well. To participate in online meetings click on "Online, all locations" at the end of the referral list.

Narcotics Anonymous World Services (NA) (www.na.org) This twelve-step recovery program from addiction to drugs is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous model. The site provides basic information on the program, help lines, coverage of NA events and news, reports, recommended books, audio tapes, videotapes and information on how to start a meeting. Under Regional and Area Links, there is an online meeting locator listing registered NA meetings in the US and 35 countries worldwide.

Other Programs

Most addiction professionals believe rational means (listed below), while useful, do not work by themselves for addicts and alcoholics because the seat of addiction is below the level of consciousness.

Exposure Response Prevention (www.killthecraving.com)
ERP® is a behavior therapy technique that systematically exposes an addict to simulated versions of their drugs of choice and the equipment related to its use in order to elicit powerful cravings. It is believed that as the addict learns to handle these triggers and cravings without giving into them, the desire to use becomes extinguished. ERP® therapy increases self-control and confidence, resulting in a reduced likelihood of relapse. ERP® can be done through photo cards (using their book "Kill The Craving" and their web site) or with a trained therapist (call 1-888-8-CARE-4U for more information about this version of ERP®). An outcome study documenting the effectiveness of ERP® is available on their web site.

Sober24 (www.sober24.com) This web site provides various interactive resources for managing one's addiction recovery online. Offerings include daily reflections, sober chat rooms, SoberFuse* (an online recovery tool for tracking your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress in sobriety, with a confidential "call for help" feature if you feel in danger of relapse), SoberPost discussion forums, a personal journal section, and a meeting locator.

Rational Recovery (www.rational.org) Rational Recovery is the concept of immediate self-recovery from addiction through the learned skill of planned abstinence. Abstinence is facilitated by using an easily-learned method called Addictive Voice Recognition Technique® (AVRT). The is no religious or spiritual component to this method of recovery. The web site offers an online course on AVRT, an online bookstore offering Rational Recovery books, audio tapes, videotapes, discussion forums, articles and essays.

SMART Recovery (Self Management and Recovery Training) (www.smartrecovery.org) This nationwide not-for-profit organization provides free self-help support groups to people who want to abstain from addictive behavior. The program is based on cognitive, behavioral and educational methods that seek to change the beliefs and attitudes that can lead to addictive behavior. There is no religious or spiritual component to this method of recovery. The site has online recovery meetings, a message board, Internet discussion groups, a meeting list and recommended reading.

LifeRing Secular Recovery (www.unhooked.com) This non-religious recovery network is based on a group process self-help system of recovery. The web site provides a national meeting list organized by state, news bulletins, online scientific articles, a chat room with daily online meetings, reviews of recovery books, and extensive links organized by topic such as recovery groups, government/academic sites, and various approaches to healing.

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