12-step programs
Twelve-step programs are an important part of the recovery process. They are based on a set of guiding principles and the ongoing support of people who share their experiences of getting drug-free and avoiding relapse. People recovering from many types of addiction can join a 12-step program.
NON 12-STEP GROUP PROGRAMS
These self-help support groups give you tools to change negative and harmful thoughts that underlie addiction. The focus is on finding strength and self-control within yourself. There are in-person meetings with peers, daily online meetings, chat rooms and message boards.
Faith-Based Programs
These programs approach recovery through various religious traditions including Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhist.
A faith-based recovery program understands that addiction and substance use is not just a physical problem – it reflects the spiritual and emotional suffering of an individual. These recovery programs seek to restore each person’s well-being through guidance and spiritual support, and encourages them to transform their lives totally.
To learn more about the different religious-based programs see our PROGRAMS & SUPPORT section
APPs
Mobile apps give you another tool to support your recovery. They offer practical support that is affordable, private and always available.
Apps can track sober time, help you manage triggers and emotions, find and share meetings, contact your sponsor discretely, keep you motivated, connect you with a recovery community, and more.
Many good apps are available for both the iPhone/iPad and Google Android phones. Of note, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 free apps use ads. This can be distracting and because ads use data they can cost you money in the long run. Many apps offer a premium version as an in-app purchase which has extra useful features and usually no ads. You can try out the free version of the app and upgrade to premium if it is helping you.
Availability: iPhone and Android
Price: iPhone $5.99, Android $5.99
Rating: 4.9
This app is for anyone using a 12-step program for recovery. It features all 366 daily meditations from the best-selling meditation book published by Hazelden. You can receive notification each day to remind you to read the daily message.
Special Features:
You can share the daily messages with friends by e-mail or text, bookmark your favorite meditations, and search all 366 daily messages by keyword.
Availability: iPhone and Android
Price: Free
Rating: 4.8
Includes a sober day tracker, daily pledge to stay sober and a sobriety calculator. You can take photos and journal your progress directly in the app, which you can share or keep private. A withdrawal timeline gives you an idea of what to expect in your next few days and weeks. Helps you build new habits and stay motivated by connecting you to a wide network of people all working on the same goal.
Special Features:
Analyze triggers by recapping each day and finding patterns that made your day easier or more challenging than the last.
Availability: iPhone and Android
Price: Free
Rating: 4.9 iPhone, 4.7 Android
Link with your care team of sponsors, family, friends and healthcare providers to share your progress, get help identifying triggers and risky situations, and celebrate successes.
Find meetings in your area (includes CA, AA, NA, Refuge Recovery, and SMART Recovery), learn ways to overcome cravings, and keep track of daily tasks and activities.
Special Features:
This is a well thought out app. It combines aspects of different types of talk therapy with social support to help you change behaviors, stay motivated and find healthier ways to meet your needs. Gentle questions prompt you to plan action steps each day to stay on track with your recovery.
BUILD A SOBER NETWORK
Connect with people socially who are also working on their sobriety - for support, sharing and encouragement. Staying connected rather than isolated is a vital part of recovery. Support helps you heal.
Availability: iPhone and Android
Price: Free
Rating: 4.9
Connect with others through this location-based networking App for sober support and friendship. Message a user, post messages to a newsfeed, or alert others that you need help or a ride to a meeting (use the “Need a Ride” button. Also offers affordable 24/7 Certified Peer Coaches to help you get sober and stay sober.
Special Features:
All the users on this app are sober and/or involved in the sober community around the world so you don’t have to worrying about protecting your anonymity. You can use the ‘Grid’, an endless scroll of sober people who live in your area. You can meet new people in your area by clicking on their picture and sending them a message.
ONLINE MEETINGs AND CHAT ROOMS
A chat room lets you communicate in real time on the Internet. Everyone who is logged in sees what you are typing, but two people can still have a private chat on the side. People from any location can join in, making them an ideal format for groups of people.
Chat meetings are chat rooms with a chairperson who introduces topics for people to address. Chat meetings are scheduled in advance for a specific period of time.
NA and PA Online meetings usually use Zoom. The group sets them up, gets a meeting code and password and sends the information to all members of the group. Or the group sends the information to Central Office, who post the info online.
HOLISTIC APPROACHES
When you stop using prescription medications, you may have withdrawal symptoms and feel anxious, sad, confused, or irritable. Your sleep and eating may be disturbed for a while.
Holistic therapies can help you cope with early symptoms and throughout the recovery process. You can build better health, inner calm and emotional strength – so you can think more clearly and focus on what is best for you. You may also find it easier to connect with others, your deeper self or to something greater than yourself, however you define that.
For those in recovery, holistic approaches work best when they are part of professional treatment and they are often part of addiction recovery programs. Studies show that success rates improve strongly when holistic approaches are included in treatment.
- Yoga can help you heal emotionally and physically – improving anxiety, depression, sleep, and pain.
- Tai chi and massage therapy help you lower stress, relax deeply, feel calmer and reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- Acupuncture can lessen withdrawal symptoms and help rebalance your mind and body.
- Relaxation techniques such as guided imagery, meditation, deep breathing, and hypnotherapy are simple tools that are easy to learn. You can use them whenever you need help staying calm, centered and focused on your goals.
Part of a holistic approach also includes being in nature. Finding a safe, quiet and natural place can refresh the soul and provide the space to explore whatever form of spirituality moves you.
There are many other holistic therapies. You can learn more about them and their role in recovery in our Holistic Support section.