Links to Helpful Websites

Self-Help Information and Groups

SOS Secular Recovery
SOS stands for Save Our Selves or Secular Organizations for Sobriety. This is one of the original alternatives to AA. Has meetings in many locations across the United States and also in numerous other countries. Check www.sossobriety.org.

Women For Sobriety
This is another of the original alternatives to AA. WFS helps individuals with its Thirteen Statements of Acceptance. In contrast to the 12 Steps, these are non-religious thoughts that help members become more self-reliant in everyday life and achieve a lasting and successful recovery. Visit their site: womenforsobriety.org

SMART Recovery
SMART stands for Self Management And Recovery Training. SMART Recovery® offers free scientifically based mutual help groups (including groups online) for abstaining from any addictive behavior (alcohol, other substances, or activities). See www.smartrecovery.org.

LifeRing Secular Recovery
For a secular approach to alcoholism and addiction treatment offering meetings across the U.S. and also a wealth of information on how to recover from addictions, visit Unhooked.com.

The Stanton Peele Addiction Web Site
See www.peele.net for extensive information on alternative treatment approaches as well as distinguished, professional advice from a rebel in the addiction treatment community.

Stop Recovering and Start Discovering
Check recoveryfree.com for an evaluation of various approaches to treating addictions and  empowering, new alternatives to the standard 12-Step approach.

16 Step Groups
Charlotte Kasl has developed an empowering alternative to AA groups. Instead of AA's 12 Steps that take a spiritual and moral slant, she offers "16 Steps for Discovery and Empowerment" and a plan for group meetings based on these steps. Check charlottekasl.com.

Practical Recovery Services 
PRS offers an alternative to the 12-step approach. At PRS individuals are not labeled "alcoholics" or "addicts." Addictive behavior is understood as a complex maladaptive behavior, rather than a disease. See practicalrecovery.com. 

Treatment Centers Using Alternative Techniques

Alternative Treatment International, Inc.
(Non-12 Step/Non-AA)
Clearwater, Florida
jamaicarehab.com

Cliffside Malibu
Malibu, California
cliffsidemalibu.com

Green Gate Intensive
Flagstaff, Arizona
greengateintensive.com

Passages Malibu
Malibu, California
passagesmalibu.com

Practical Recovery Inpatient
(Non-12 Step/Non-AA)
Encinitas, California
practicalrecovery.com

St Jude Retreat House
Hagaman, New York 
soberforever.org

Sierra Tucson Treatment Center
Tucson, Arizona 
sierratucson.com

Support Systems Homes
Substance abuse treatment programs located in Northern California
supportsystemshomes.com

The Last Resort Panama
Bonita Springs FL
thelastresort.com

The Ranch
Nunnelly, Tennessee
recoveryranch.com

Online Resources and Directories

MyAddiction.com
Go to MyAddiction.com for an educational and informational website on Addiction and Recovery. This site includes information on addiction categories such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, nicotine, prescription drugs, sex, gambling and eating disorders.

Learn-About-Alcoholism
Educational resource covering all aspects of alcoholism including signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and where to go for help. See Learn-About-Alcoholism.com.

Online Recovery
For an extensive directory of self-help recovery groups and online recovery resources, including information, forums, chat rooms, AA and NA groups as well as alternative groups and programs, check Online Recovery.

Recovery Resources Online
SoberRecovery.com offers a complete directory of recovery resources for drug addiction and alcoholism treatment centers, residential treatment programs, and more.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
This site provides education, information, and practical help to the public. Check it out at www.ncadd.org.