| CHOICE BASED RECOVERY PROGRAMS & GROUPS |
| Below is a list of free alternative recovery programs for alcohol & drug addiction & mutual-help groups. |
DEFEAT ADDICTIONS.ORG
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The factual and independent addiction recovery resource!
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Copyright 2007-2008 Defeat Addictions. All Rights Reserved.
Addiction Alchemy
Addiction Alchemy™ is a holistic, self-help journey for addiction recovery, based on the Medicine Wheel model. The
Medicine Wheel can help anyone regardless of race, culture, gender or belief system to transform the process of
addiction at the core level. It works with any addiction and most especially "hidden" addictions, attachments and other
issues that may not be readily recognized as addictions.
Alcohol Management
Alcohol Management is a brief, confidential educational program that helps you eliminate drinking problems by reducing
your drinking or stopping altogether. You decide which is better for you: moderation or abstinence.
Celebrate Recovery
CELEBRATE RECOVERY SMALL GROUPS CAN: Provide you a safe place to share your experiences, strengths and
hopes with others who are going through the "Principles" in a Christ-Centered recovery. Provide you a leader who has
gone through a similar hurt, hang-up on habit that will facilitate the group as it focuses on a particular Step each week.
The leader will also keep Celebrate Recovery's "FIVE RULES." Provide you with the opportunity to find an accountability
partner or sponsor. Encourage you to attend other recovery meetings held throughout the week, if available.
Drinker's Checkup
This program is designed to help you develop a better understanding of your drinking including any risks (e.g., your
health) it could pose, consider whether you might want to change your drinking, and understand the ways you could
change if you decide to.
Drink Too Much?
Here are practical suggestions for either cutting down or abstaining from alcohol along with tips for helping loved ones
who have a drinking problem.
Forgotten Five Steps
Now Free! "The Forgotten Five-Steps" Workbook Program! Those who struggle with alcohol abuse or drug addictions
are finding that often the mainstream thinking isn’t helping them. Three or four rehabs later, many counseling sessions
attended, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent only to find out that relapse is a part of treatment and the
addiction "disease" is with you forever! What? Then why go? If something does not produce acceptable results, why
continue in it? Because we have been led to believe that it is the only way. You do not have a disease! And there are
recovery alternatives to current drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment! Your will to survive is strong, and your own
path unique. I found that people who have overcome a drug or alcohol addiction did so through a willingness and a
desire to redirect their lives.
HAMS Harm Reduction Network
HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation. The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is a free of
charge peer-led support group for people who use alcohol or other mood altering substances. HAMS Harm Reduction
strategies are defined in the 14 elements of HAMS. HAMS supports every positive change. Whether your goal is safer
use, reduced use, abstinence, or moderate use within specified guidelines, you will find a safe and supportive
environment here. If you want to change your drinking, you've come to the right place.
Healthy Lifestyles Guided Self-Change Program
The center seeks to offer programs of excellence in educating future mental health practitioners, in advancing knowledge
about psychological problems and their treatment, and in providing high-quality services that address society’s current
mental health needs.
Jesus Saves 9 steps to freedom
Hope for the weary. Your first step towards breaking free from the power of addictions is to admit that you are addicted
and that you need help. Jesus says that when we confess ours sins He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins.
Life Ring-Recovery by Choice
The core unit of LifeRing is the recovery meeting. Meetings are autonomous except in matters affecting other meetings
and the organization as a whole. Meetings are led by peer volunteers called convenors.
Moderation Management (MM)
Self Management • Balance • Moderation • Personal Responsibility-Moderation Management is a behavioral change
program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make positive
lifestyle changes.
Overcomers In Christ Recovery
Recovery program that deals with every aspect of addiction and dysfunction (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and
social). Uses Overcomers goals which are Christ-centered. Resources, information and referrals. Assistance in starting
new groups. Literature.
Recovery Inc.
Recovery, Inc. is a self-help mental health program based on the ground breaking work of our founder a
neuropsychiatrist, the late Abraham A. Low, M.D. We are non-profit, non-sectarian and completely member managed.
Recovery Inc., has been active since 1937 and we have groups meeting every week around the world.
Save Our Selves (SOS)
Save Our Selves is dedicated to providing a path to sobriety, an alternative to those paths depending upon supernatural
or religious beliefs. We respect diversity, welcome healthy skepticism, and encourage rational thinking as well as the
expression of feelings. We choose to make our Sobriety a separate issue from our religion. We are not against popular
12 step programs which work well for many people, but we find that they do not work for us. Research has shown that
both approaches are equally effective.
Self-Renewal.com
Helping people identify problems with alcohol and drug addictions and offers helpful techniques to break these addictions
and get into recovery.
SLUGS - Sobriety simplified
Sobriety simplified: A snapshot of recovery that you will remember and use.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery® offers free face-to-face and online mutual help groups. SMART Recovery® (Self-Management And
Recovery Training) helps people recover from all types of addictive behaviors, including: alcoholism, drug abuse,
substance abuse, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, cocaine addiction, and addiction to other
substances and activities. The program offers specific tools and techniques for each of the program points: Point 1:
Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation to Abstain-Point 2: Coping with Urges-Point 3: Problem Solving (Managing
thoughts, feelings & behaviors)-Point 4: Lifestyle Balance (Balancing momentary & enduring satisfactions).
Stanton Peele Addiction
The Stanton Peele Addiction Web Site (SPAWS) presents a range of novel and constructive solutions to policy, scientific,
treatment, and personal problems that befuddle current approaches.
The Road Back
The Road Back program has been in use since 1999. Well over 30,000 people are now drug free after following these
simple but powerful procedures.
YES Recovery
A free, spiritual alternative to 12-Step Programs. Start your own recovery group for free. No fees, rules, dogma or
professionals. Just people supporting each other, with guidelines that work.
Your First Step to Change Tool Kits-Harvard Medical School
The Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has created a series of
self-change toolkits. These toolkits are designed to do three things. First, they will help people gain information about
addiction-related problems. Second, they will help people evaluate their own addiction-related behavior. Third, they will
help people develop change strategies, should they decide that change is the best course.
3-step spiritual treatment program
Spiritual research indicates that 96% of the causes of addictions are due to ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies,
etc.) or departed ancestors. The seeds of addictions are introduced in the womb itself by ghosts. Due to the spiritual
nature of the cause of addictions, only spiritual remedies can successfully alleviate addiction. A 3-step spiritual treatment
program has been suggested that will ensure minimal withdrawal symptoms.
16-Steps for Discovery and Empowerment
The 16-step empowerment model is a wholistic approach to overcoming addiction that views people in their wholeness--
mind, body and spirit. A fundamental basis of this model is flexibility and an openness which leads to continually ask:
What works? Who does it work for? and How can we help it work better? It encourages people to be continually open to
new information and not to become trapped in dogmatic teachings. At its core, this model is based on love not fear;
internal control not external authoritarianism; affirmation not deflation; and trust in the ability of people to find their own
healing path when given education, support, hope and choices.
Addiction Alchemy™ is a holistic, self-help journey for addiction recovery, based on the Medicine Wheel model. The
Medicine Wheel can help anyone regardless of race, culture, gender or belief system to transform the process of
addiction at the core level. It works with any addiction and most especially "hidden" addictions, attachments and other
issues that may not be readily recognized as addictions.
Alcohol Management
Alcohol Management is a brief, confidential educational program that helps you eliminate drinking problems by reducing
your drinking or stopping altogether. You decide which is better for you: moderation or abstinence.
Celebrate Recovery
CELEBRATE RECOVERY SMALL GROUPS CAN: Provide you a safe place to share your experiences, strengths and
hopes with others who are going through the "Principles" in a Christ-Centered recovery. Provide you a leader who has
gone through a similar hurt, hang-up on habit that will facilitate the group as it focuses on a particular Step each week.
The leader will also keep Celebrate Recovery's "FIVE RULES." Provide you with the opportunity to find an accountability
partner or sponsor. Encourage you to attend other recovery meetings held throughout the week, if available.
Drinker's Checkup
This program is designed to help you develop a better understanding of your drinking including any risks (e.g., your
health) it could pose, consider whether you might want to change your drinking, and understand the ways you could
change if you decide to.
Drink Too Much?
Here are practical suggestions for either cutting down or abstaining from alcohol along with tips for helping loved ones
who have a drinking problem.
Forgotten Five Steps
Now Free! "The Forgotten Five-Steps" Workbook Program! Those who struggle with alcohol abuse or drug addictions
are finding that often the mainstream thinking isn’t helping them. Three or four rehabs later, many counseling sessions
attended, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent only to find out that relapse is a part of treatment and the
addiction "disease" is with you forever! What? Then why go? If something does not produce acceptable results, why
continue in it? Because we have been led to believe that it is the only way. You do not have a disease! And there are
recovery alternatives to current drug abuse and alcohol addiction treatment! Your will to survive is strong, and your own
path unique. I found that people who have overcome a drug or alcohol addiction did so through a willingness and a
desire to redirect their lives.
HAMS Harm Reduction Network
HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation. The HAMS Harm Reduction Network is a free of
charge peer-led support group for people who use alcohol or other mood altering substances. HAMS Harm Reduction
strategies are defined in the 14 elements of HAMS. HAMS supports every positive change. Whether your goal is safer
use, reduced use, abstinence, or moderate use within specified guidelines, you will find a safe and supportive
environment here. If you want to change your drinking, you've come to the right place.
Healthy Lifestyles Guided Self-Change Program
The center seeks to offer programs of excellence in educating future mental health practitioners, in advancing knowledge
about psychological problems and their treatment, and in providing high-quality services that address society’s current
mental health needs.
Jesus Saves 9 steps to freedom
Hope for the weary. Your first step towards breaking free from the power of addictions is to admit that you are addicted
and that you need help. Jesus says that when we confess ours sins He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins.
Life Ring-Recovery by Choice
The core unit of LifeRing is the recovery meeting. Meetings are autonomous except in matters affecting other meetings
and the organization as a whole. Meetings are led by peer volunteers called convenors.
Moderation Management (MM)
Self Management • Balance • Moderation • Personal Responsibility-Moderation Management is a behavioral change
program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make positive
lifestyle changes.
Overcomers In Christ Recovery
Recovery program that deals with every aspect of addiction and dysfunction (spiritual, physical, mental, emotional and
social). Uses Overcomers goals which are Christ-centered. Resources, information and referrals. Assistance in starting
new groups. Literature.
Recovery Inc.
Recovery, Inc. is a self-help mental health program based on the ground breaking work of our founder a
neuropsychiatrist, the late Abraham A. Low, M.D. We are non-profit, non-sectarian and completely member managed.
Recovery Inc., has been active since 1937 and we have groups meeting every week around the world.
Save Our Selves (SOS)
Save Our Selves is dedicated to providing a path to sobriety, an alternative to those paths depending upon supernatural
or religious beliefs. We respect diversity, welcome healthy skepticism, and encourage rational thinking as well as the
expression of feelings. We choose to make our Sobriety a separate issue from our religion. We are not against popular
12 step programs which work well for many people, but we find that they do not work for us. Research has shown that
both approaches are equally effective.
Self-Renewal.com
Helping people identify problems with alcohol and drug addictions and offers helpful techniques to break these addictions
and get into recovery.
SLUGS - Sobriety simplified
Sobriety simplified: A snapshot of recovery that you will remember and use.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery® offers free face-to-face and online mutual help groups. SMART Recovery® (Self-Management And
Recovery Training) helps people recover from all types of addictive behaviors, including: alcoholism, drug abuse,
substance abuse, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, cocaine addiction, and addiction to other
substances and activities. The program offers specific tools and techniques for each of the program points: Point 1:
Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation to Abstain-Point 2: Coping with Urges-Point 3: Problem Solving (Managing
thoughts, feelings & behaviors)-Point 4: Lifestyle Balance (Balancing momentary & enduring satisfactions).
Stanton Peele Addiction
The Stanton Peele Addiction Web Site (SPAWS) presents a range of novel and constructive solutions to policy, scientific,
treatment, and personal problems that befuddle current approaches.
The Road Back
The Road Back program has been in use since 1999. Well over 30,000 people are now drug free after following these
simple but powerful procedures.
YES Recovery
A free, spiritual alternative to 12-Step Programs. Start your own recovery group for free. No fees, rules, dogma or
professionals. Just people supporting each other, with guidelines that work.
Your First Step to Change Tool Kits-Harvard Medical School
The Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, has created a series of
self-change toolkits. These toolkits are designed to do three things. First, they will help people gain information about
addiction-related problems. Second, they will help people evaluate their own addiction-related behavior. Third, they will
help people develop change strategies, should they decide that change is the best course.
3-step spiritual treatment program
Spiritual research indicates that 96% of the causes of addictions are due to ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies,
etc.) or departed ancestors. The seeds of addictions are introduced in the womb itself by ghosts. Due to the spiritual
nature of the cause of addictions, only spiritual remedies can successfully alleviate addiction. A 3-step spiritual treatment
program has been suggested that will ensure minimal withdrawal symptoms.
16-Steps for Discovery and Empowerment
The 16-step empowerment model is a wholistic approach to overcoming addiction that views people in their wholeness--
mind, body and spirit. A fundamental basis of this model is flexibility and an openness which leads to continually ask:
What works? Who does it work for? and How can we help it work better? It encourages people to be continually open to
new information and not to become trapped in dogmatic teachings. At its core, this model is based on love not fear;
internal control not external authoritarianism; affirmation not deflation; and trust in the ability of people to find their own
healing path when given education, support, hope and choices.
Choice Based Mutual-Help Groups
Agoraphobics In Motion
Self-help group that uses specific behavioral and cognitive techniques to help people recover from anxiety disorders.
Relaxation techniques and small group discussions and field trips.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Promotes the diagnosis and treatment of all anxiety and related disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder,
post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder. Listing of
state-by-state local support groups, brochures, information about anxiety disorders, local listing of healthcare
professionals providing treatment for anxiety disorders, and a national listing of clinical trials provided free.
CAIR (Changing Attitudes In Recovery)
Self-help family sharing a common commitment to gain healthy esteem. Includes persons with relationship problems,
addictions, mental illness, etc. Offers netechniques and tools that lead to better self-esteem. Assistance in starting
groups. Handbook ($9.95), audio tapes, leader's manual.
End Verbal Abuse
Informational, anti-abuse email support group for those who are dedicated to overcoming the obstacles to leaving a
verbal abuser in a healthy and safe manner, resolving abusive behavior, protecting children from abuse or recovery after
leaving your abuser.
Fortune Society
Support and education for ex-offenders. Provides substance abuse treatment, tutoring, employment assistance,
AIDS/HIV education and services, counseling and court advocacy. Most of the counselors are ex-offenders and/or in
recovery from drug addiction. Assistance available for starting similar groups.
National Empowerment Center
Provides contact information all the mental health consumer/survivor state organizations, which in turn can advise people
of local self-help groups and other consumer-run services.
Panic Survivor
Online support group for persons who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, social anxiety,
agoraphobia, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, hypochondria or any other form of anxiety.
Focus is on recover, day-to-day survival, with a "can do" attitude.
PRIDE (from Prostitution to Independence, Dignity and Equality)
Provides PRIDE support groups and other services to assist women and children in escaping the sex industry (including
prostitution, pornography and stripping).
Recovery, Inc.
Mental health self-help organization that offers weekly group meetings for people suffering from various emotional and
mental conditions. Recovery, Inc.'s principles parallel those found in cognitive-behavioral therapy. The Recovery Method
teaches people how to change the thoughts, reactions, and behaviors that cause their physical and emotional symptoms.
Secret Shame: Self Injury Information & Support
Extensive information resource on self-injury and self-abuse. Resources for how to deal with self-abuse and the
self-abuse of family members or friends. Offers web board and separate email lists for self-injurers and their family and
friends. (Email lists are named BUS for "bodies under siege" and are located in the right hand column).
Woman's Emotional Abuse Support
Offers mutual support and understanding for victims of verbal abuse. Provides message boards, chat room, links and
e-mail group support.
Self-help group that uses specific behavioral and cognitive techniques to help people recover from anxiety disorders.
Relaxation techniques and small group discussions and field trips.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
Promotes the diagnosis and treatment of all anxiety and related disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder,
post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder. Listing of
state-by-state local support groups, brochures, information about anxiety disorders, local listing of healthcare
professionals providing treatment for anxiety disorders, and a national listing of clinical trials provided free.
CAIR (Changing Attitudes In Recovery)
Self-help family sharing a common commitment to gain healthy esteem. Includes persons with relationship problems,
addictions, mental illness, etc. Offers netechniques and tools that lead to better self-esteem. Assistance in starting
groups. Handbook ($9.95), audio tapes, leader's manual.
End Verbal Abuse
Informational, anti-abuse email support group for those who are dedicated to overcoming the obstacles to leaving a
verbal abuser in a healthy and safe manner, resolving abusive behavior, protecting children from abuse or recovery after
leaving your abuser.
Fortune Society
Support and education for ex-offenders. Provides substance abuse treatment, tutoring, employment assistance,
AIDS/HIV education and services, counseling and court advocacy. Most of the counselors are ex-offenders and/or in
recovery from drug addiction. Assistance available for starting similar groups.
National Empowerment Center
Provides contact information all the mental health consumer/survivor state organizations, which in turn can advise people
of local self-help groups and other consumer-run services.
Panic Survivor
Online support group for persons who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, generalized anxiety, social anxiety,
agoraphobia, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, hypochondria or any other form of anxiety.
Focus is on recover, day-to-day survival, with a "can do" attitude.
PRIDE (from Prostitution to Independence, Dignity and Equality)
Provides PRIDE support groups and other services to assist women and children in escaping the sex industry (including
prostitution, pornography and stripping).
Recovery, Inc.
Mental health self-help organization that offers weekly group meetings for people suffering from various emotional and
mental conditions. Recovery, Inc.'s principles parallel those found in cognitive-behavioral therapy. The Recovery Method
teaches people how to change the thoughts, reactions, and behaviors that cause their physical and emotional symptoms.
Secret Shame: Self Injury Information & Support
Extensive information resource on self-injury and self-abuse. Resources for how to deal with self-abuse and the
self-abuse of family members or friends. Offers web board and separate email lists for self-injurers and their family and
friends. (Email lists are named BUS for "bodies under siege" and are located in the right hand column).
Woman's Emotional Abuse Support
Offers mutual support and understanding for victims of verbal abuse. Provides message boards, chat room, links and
e-mail group support.
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DEFEAT ADDICTIONS.ORG
| Free Self-Treatment & Recovery Programs For |
Alcohol & Drug Addiction
God's Wrath
| If the son (Jesus Christ) shall set you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 |
| Free Self-Treatment & Recovery Programs For |
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Choice Based Recovery Programs