In-Person/Online Support Group Library

The following is an incomplete library of both in-person and online free of charge or by donation support groups for those suffering from a wide range of addictions including alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and pornography, eating disorders, mental health and behavioral addiction, and other addictions not specified here. There's also a section for friends and family members of people with addictions along with some harm-reduction resources for people who are currently active in their addictions. Please feel free to add your own groups and resources which aren't on this list or to share your stories and experiences with recovery support groups.

Before we get started, let's define a few words and phrases which may be unfamiliar to many who are new to the world of addictions and recovery.

Definitions

Abstinence: The practice of restraining oneself completely from indulging in their addiction.

Moderation: The practice of regulating and putting a limit on one's indulgence in addictive behaviors and activities.

Recovery: A process of change through which an individual achieves freedom from the problems caused by their addiction and improved health, wellness, and quality of life. May or may not include complete abstinence from substance use and/or addictive behaviours.

Sobriety: A state of not being intoxicated by alcohol or other mind-altering substances

12-Step Program: A spirituality and abstinence-focused program based on a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addictions. The original 12-step group was Alcoholics Anonymous and it was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (also known as "Bill W." and "Dr. Bob"). For more information about the specifics of the program and a detailed outline of the guiding principles and steps, check out the 7cups 12-step working guide (https://www.7cups.com/12-step-working-guide/)

Harm-reduction: Policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the harm associated with the use of substances. It is about preventing harm rather than complete abstinence, recognizing that stopping use may not be realistic or desirable for everyone.

Secular: Attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A type of psychotherapy that focuses on the development of personal coping strategies that target solving current problems and changing unhelpful patterns in cognitions (e.g. thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes), behaviors, and emotional regulation.

Now that we've got the definitions out of the way, let's get on to the list of support groups. Click on the name of each group to be directed to the group's website

General Addictions

SMART Recovery Cognitive behavior therapy-based self-management program.

Refuge Recovery Mindfulness-based addiction recovery based on Buddhist philosophies.

Women for Sobriety Abstinence-based self-help program for women.

LifeRing Secular Recovery Peer-run, abstinence-based, non-12 step addiction recovery program.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety Local non-professional groups that help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety/abstinence from alcohol and drug addiction, food addiction and more.

Online Gamers Anonymous 12-step recovery program for those with video gaming addictions.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program for people who seek recovery from alcoholism and problematic drinking.

AA Online Online Alcoholics Anonymous meeting platform.

Moderation Management Peer-run non-coercive support groups for anyone who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption.

HAMS Harm reduction approach to managing alcoholism.

r/stopdrinking Reddit community for support in abstaining from drinking alcohol.

Drug Addictions

Narcotics Anonymous 12-step program for people who seek recovery from drug addiction.

NA Online Online Narcotics Anonymous meeting platform.

Pills Anonymous 12-step program for people who seek recovery from prescription drug addiction.

Cocaine Anonymous 12-step program for people who seek recovery from addiction to cocaine.

Crystal Meth Anonymous 12-step program of recovered and recovering crystal meth addicts.

Marijuana Anonymous 12-step program for people with common desire to maintain abstinence from marijuana.

r/leaves Reddit community for support with quitting marijuana/cannabis.

Gambling Addiction

Gamblers Anonymous 12-step program for people who have a gambling problem.

GamTalk A supportive community helping people with gambling issues to share their experiences and ideas.

GamblingTherapy A free online service that provides practical advice and emotional support to people affected by problem gambling.

Sex and Pornography Addictions

Sex Addicts Anonymous 12-step program for people who want to stop their addictive sexual behavior.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous 12-step program for people recovering from sex addiction and love addiction.

Sexaholics Anonymous 12-step program for compulsive sexual acting-out.

Nofap An online support group for those who wish to avoid pornography and masturbation.

Eating Disorders

Overeaters Anonymous 12-step program for people with problems related to food including, but not limited to, compulsive overeaters, those with binge eating disorder, bulimics and anorexics

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous 12-step program for people who have a relationship with food that parallels an alcoholic's relationship with alcohol.

Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous 12-step program to address the mental, emotional, and spiritual components of the disorders of anorexia and bulimia.

Mental Health and Behavioral Addictions

Recovery International Cognitive-behavioral, peer-to-peer, self-help training system.

Emotions Anonymous (12-step program for recovery from mental and emotional illness)

Codependents Anonymous (12-step program for people who share a common desire to develop functional and healthy relationships)

Groups for Family and Friends of People with Addictions

Al-Anon 12-step fellowship with the stated purpose of helping relatives and friends of alcoholics.

Alateen 12-step fellowship for people aged 13-18 who have an alcoholic relative or friend.

Nar-Anon 12-step program for friends and family members of those who are affected by someone else's addiction.

National Association for Children of Alcoholics Information, advice and support for everyone affected by their parent's drinking.

Harm Reduction Groups

Tripsit A team of dedicated volunteers working to promote the safer practice of drug consumption of any sort through free, straight-forward, honest information and support in the context of harm-reduction techniques.

Erowid A non-profit educational organization that provides information about psychoactive plants and chemicals, documenting legal and illegal substances, including their intended and adverse effects.

SeshSafety A harm reduction-based facebook community to raise awareness of drug abuse and also provide non-biased advice.

Ecstasydata A harm reduction measure for current drug users. People can send in samples of ecstasy pills and other street drugs to have them tested in a laboratory in order to determine their composition and prevent ingestion of potentially harmful and toxic substances. Test results are stored on the website for viewing by the general public.

Dancesafe A non-profit harm reduction group that promotes health and safety within the electronic music scene, though it also has lots of helpful information for those who aren't a part of this scene. Sells fentanyl testing strips and reagent testing kits.