Organizations and Recovery Groups

National Helplines & Resource Locators

  • SAMHSA National Helpline – A free, confidential, 24/7 service (1-800-662-HELP / TTY: 1-800-487-4889) that connects individuals and families with mental health and substance use treatment providers, support groups, and community services. Available in English and Spanish; also accessible via text (HELP4U) SAMHSA.
  • SAMHSA Support Group Finder – A searchable database of national and local (in-person and online) groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, NAMI, and more SAMHSA.

Secular Mutual-Aid and Support Programs

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Traditional 12-step recovery program for alcohol addiction. Widely available and free. HelpGuide.org
  • SMART Recovery – Evidence-based, self-empowerment approach to addictive behaviors. Offers online and in-person meetings, mobile app, toolkits, and more SMART Recovery.
  • Women for Sobriety (WFS) – A gender-specific program addressing women’s emotional and spiritual needs in recovery Verywell MindHelpGuide.org.
  • Secular Organizations for Sobriety (S.O.S.) – Non-spiritual alternative to traditional 12-step programs Verywell MindHelpGuide.org.
  • LifeRing Secular Recovery – Abstinence-based peer support group promoting self-empowerment, suited for all genders and faith backgrounds. Offers in-person, online, and email-based support Wikipedia.
  • Recovery Dharma – Peer-led recovery groups using Buddhist practices and principles. Founded in 2019 with strong community growth Wikipedia.
  • Faces & Voices of Recovery – A hub of mutual aid groups (online and offline) for people in recovery and their support networks Faces & Voices of Recovery.

Faith-Based & Spiritual Support Programs

  • Celebrate Recovery – A Christ-centered recovery program addressing hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Widely accessible via churches, recovery homes, and online Celebrate Recovery.
  • Adult & Teen Challenge – Faith-based residential and life-skills recovery programs serving teens and adults across 215+ centers in the U.S. and Canada Adult & Teen Challenge.

Dedicated Support for Youth & Young Adults

  • Young People in Recovery (YPR) – Peer support networks designed for youth and young adults in recovery. Offers chapters, life-skills workshops, and community events YPR-Young People In Recovery.
  • Resources for Adolescents & Young Adults – A compilation of guides and locators tailored to youth, including mental health, treatment services, and peer networks like Jed Foundation, NIDA for Teens, Go Ask Alice! adolescenthealth.org.
  • Teen Addiction Recovery Resources (Connecticut-specific) – Includes groups like SMART Recovery, YPR, Alateen, Narateen, Women for Sobriety, LifeRing, Celebrate Recovery, Recovery Dharma, and more youthrecoveryct.org.

Mental Health–Focused Support

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – Offers peer-led support groups:
    • NAMI Connection: For individuals with mental health conditions, offered virtually and in person.
    • NAMI Family Support Group: For family members and loved ones NAMI.
  • Emotions Anonymous (EA) – 12-step–style peer groups for emotional and mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, and more. Available in-person in the U.S. and internationally Wikipedia.
  • Compeer – Community-based peer-style support where trained volunteers regularly spend time with adults or youth experiencing mental illness Wikipedia.