If you’ve tried A.A. but found it did not resonate with you, here are a few alternative support groups that might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
S.M.A.R.T. Recovery
Both the name of an organization and its approach to addiction recovery, ‘SMART’ stands for ‘ Self-Management and Recovery Training’. It’s one of the most established Alcoholics Anonymous alternatives, and was founded in 1994. There are two main ways that SMART differs from A.A. and other addiction recovery support groups.
One is that the approach uses a science-based program that is entirely secular — many other programs, even if they’re not faith based, have significant spiritual elements. The SMART method prioritizes self-empowerment as the means to overcome addiction in four key aspects (referred to as their “4-Point Program):
- Building and Maintaining Motivation
- Coping with Urges
- Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
- Living a blanched Life
The other element that makes SMART unique is that abstinence is not the ultimate goal. Instead, the organization uses the term ‘abstinence-oriented’ to make it more inclusive for individuals who are seeking to moderate their behavior, rather than eliminating the source of their addiction entirely. Further, the SMART approach is not limited to substance addiction, and is considered just as applicable to other behavioral addictions like shopping, sex, or gambling.
The scientific nature of the SMART approach makes it an effective complement to participation in other types of recovery programs and many participants also attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as well.
Recovery Dharma (RD)
Recovery Dharma is a trauma-informed recovery program with international reach, having groups all across the United States as well as Europe and Asia.. It operates from the belief that the root of addiction is from trauma and the reason people turn to their source of addiction (be it a substance or activity) is out of the need for survival or relief. It’s for this reason that the program makes a point to approach recovery from a place of compassion, empowerment, and non-judgement.
Recovery Dharma utilizes a seven-step program referred to as “The Practice” — “we” based statements that are like a cross between Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. Many elements of the program are influenced by Buddhist beliefs and practices, and there’s a heavy emphasis on meditation.
Meetings are offered in a variety of types — virtual, in-person, and hybrid– and with the option to find meetings geared towards specific communities such as BIPO and LGBTQ; types of support needed such as for mindful eating or for health care providers. Like A.A., participants have the flexibility to partake in meetings when they choose and newcomers are welcome.
However, there is a specialized type of meeting called an “Inquiry Circle” which are small groups that have committed to meet weekly to accomplish specific goals. These meeting types are not searchable through the organization’s official online directory.
Refuge Recovery
Refuge Recovery is an online-only, peer-based recovery group. It’s the most recent newcomer among these alternative support groups, having been founded in 2014 in Los Angeles. Since then, there are dozens of meets held (virtually) all over the country across all time zones.
Like Alcoholics Anonymous, Refuge Recovery is an abstinence based program that encourages users to stop using all mind altering substances while participating in the program. Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, this support group aims to help people with more than just substance-based addictions and can be applied towards behavioral ones as well, such as gambling, spending, sex, video games, etc.
There are three main goals: awakening, truth, and community. The core of Refuge Recovery’s approach to achieving these goals is based on modified versions of traditional Buddhist principles: the Four Truths (modeled after Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths), an eight-step process called the Eightfold Path (Understanding, Intentions, Speech/community, Actions, Livelihood/service, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration), and meditation.
Despite its foundation in Buddhist principles, Refuge Recovery is not a faith-based program — and emphasizes that there’s no requirement to believe in God or any sort of higher power.
How do I find the right type of support group for me?
What we’ve covered today is just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens upon dozens of different peer-based support groups out there to choose from. The best way to figure out which one is right for you is simply to go and check them out.
Attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting can be a great starting point (even if you’re not religious), since there are quite literally thousands of chapters, both in-person and online to choose from, giving you the greatest availability to choose from.
Get a few meetings under your belt to discover what you like (or don’t like). From there, you’ll have a solid basis on what to look for in the next support group you try out.
