If you or someone you know is in crisis right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For a possible overdose or any medical emergency, call 911. For help finding treatment, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free and open 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.
The short answer
Mutual-help groups are free, peer-led communities that support recovery. AA and NA use a 12-step, spiritual approach, SMART Recovery uses practical, science-based tools with no religious element, and other groups focus on women, faith, mindfulness or specific substances. The best group is the one you will actually keep attending, so try several.
What mutual-help groups do and don’t do
They offer: community, accountability, shared experience and daily or weekly support at no cost.
They are not: professional treatment. Groups are peer-led and cannot diagnose, prescribe or manage withdrawal. They work well alongside treatment. (See [What Is Aftercare? How to Build a Relapse-Prevention Plan].)
The main options compared
| Group | Approach | Spiritual or religious? | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) | 12 steps, fellowship, sponsors | Spiritual, not tied to one religion | In-person and online meetings |
| NA (Narcotics Anonymous) | 12 steps for drug use | Spiritual, not tied to one religion | In-person and online |
| SMART Recovery | Skills based on CBT and motivational methods | No, secular | In-person and online |
| LifeRing | Peer support, personal strategies | No, secular | In-person and online |
| Women for Sobriety | Positive, women-focused program | No, non-religious | Online and in-person |
| Recovery Dharma | Buddhist-inspired practices and community | Buddhist-inspired, open to all | Online and in-person |
| Celebrate Recovery | Christian, 12-step-style | Yes, Christian | Usually in churches |
| Marijuana Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous | 12-step for specific substances | Spiritual | In-person and online |
| Dual Recovery Anonymous | 12-step for addiction and mental health | Spiritual | In-person and online |
Availability varies. Check each organization’s website for meetings.
AA and NA
How it works: members share, work through twelve steps, often with a sponsor, and attend meetings regularly. “Higher power” can mean anything meaningful to you.
Pros: meetings nearly everywhere, at all hours, free and with a long track record.
Cons: the spiritual language is not for everyone, and the experience varies a lot from meeting to meeting.
Medication note: official AA literature supports taking medications as prescribed, though individual members’ views vary. If you take medication, tell people that it is part of your plan. (See [Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): How It Works and Who It’s For].)
SMART Recovery
How it works: a four-point program on motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts and feelings and living a balanced life, using tools drawn from CBT and motivational approaches. Meetings are facilitated discussions.
Pros: secular, practical and flexible, with online options. It also offers family and friends meetings. (See [Support Groups for Families: Al-Anon, Nar-Anon and SMART Recovery Family & Friends].)
Cons: fewer in-person meetings in some areas.
What does the research say?
A major Cochrane review found that structured approaches to 12-step involvement can help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent, at least as well as other treatments. Research on other groups is more limited, though participation in peer support is generally linked with better outcomes. (See [Evidence-Based Therapies in Addiction Treatment: CBT, DBT and Contingency Management].)
How to choose
- Think about what matters to you: spiritual or secular, abstinence, women-only, faith-based, substance-specific.
- Try several meetings and several groups. Atmosphere differs, so give each at least a few visits.
- Check the format: in-person, online or both.
- Look for a good fit, with people you can talk to and a tone that feels supportive.
- Combine them. Many people use more than one.
- Notice how you feel afterward. You should feel supported, not shamed.
Tips
- Go often early on, especially in the first months.
- Get a sponsor or a regular contact if the group offers it.
- Be careful about advice on medication or mental health from peers. Ask your doctor.
- Stay safe. If a group or person pressures you to stop prescribed medication or treats you poorly, find another.
If you are a family member
Groups for families exist. (See [Support Groups for Families: Al-Anon, Nar-Anon and SMART Recovery Family & Friends].)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AA and SMART Recovery?
AA uses a 12-step, spiritual approach. SMART Recovery is secular and uses practical tools drawn from CBT.
Do I have to be religious to attend AA?
No. AA describes itself as spiritual, not religious, and many members define a higher power in their own way.
Are mutual-help groups free?
Yes, though they may accept voluntary donations.
Can I go to both AA and SMART?
Yes. Many people combine groups.
Do these groups replace treatment?
No. They complement professional care.
Sources
- Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M. Alcoholics Anonymous and Other 12-Step Programs for Alcohol Use Disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020.
- SAMHSA. Peer Support and Mutual-Help Groups. samhsa.gov
- SMART Recovery. smartrecovery.org
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Groups do not replace professional care.