Addictions Resources in the Wider World

The links provided are for general information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. The Unitarian Universalist (UU) Addictions Ministry is not responsible for information provided by other websites that are linked to this site. It is hoped that the following non-profit organizational resources will provide you with current, accurate, and helpful information about addiction and recovery.

General Information and Advocacy

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides data on alcohol and drug use and its effect on public health.
   
• Faces and Voices of Recovery advocates on behalf of the recovery community regarding issues of addiction to be part of the public policy debate.
   
• Faith Partners engages and assists people of faith in the development of caring communities that promote prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and where recovery from addiction is valued and supported.
   
• Join Together is one of the nation's leading providers of information, strategic planning assistance, and leadership development for community-based efforts to advance effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention, and treatment.
   
• The Religious Institute is a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education and justice in faith communities and society.
   
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is sharply focused on building resilience and facilitating recovery for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders. SAMHSA is gearing all of its resources—programs, policies and grants—toward the outcome of "a life in the community for everyone".

Recovery Self-Help: Alternatives to 12-Step Programs

• The Buddhist Recovery Network is open to people of all backgrounds. It promotes mindfulness and meditation, and is grounded in Buddhist principles of non-harming, compassion and interdependence, and offers assistance as people recover from the suffering caused by addictive behaviors.
   
• LifeRing is a network of abstinence-based support groups for people who want to be free of alcohol and addictive drugs. Through the positive reinforcement of the group process, the power to stay clean and sober becomes dominant in each person.
   
• Save Ourselves uses a mutual-aid support group model toward sobriety without God and provide a secular alternative to the religious language of most 12-step programs.
   
• SMART Recovery supports individuals who have chosen to abstain, or are considering abstinence from any type of addictive behaviors (substances or activities), by teaching how to change self-defeating thinking, emotions, and actions; and to work towards long-term satisfaction and quality of life.
   
• Women For Sobriety, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions, since 1976.

Recovery Self-Help: Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition

• Adult Children of Alcoholics meet in a mutually respectful, safe environment and acknowledge the common experiences of growing up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.
   
• Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
   
• Al-Anon/Alateen has been offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers for over 55 years.
   
• Compulsive Eaters Anonymous' primary purpose is to support the effort of abstaining from compulsive eating and to carry the message of recovery to those who still suffer.
   
• Gamblers Anonymous' only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.
   
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide. Also, see Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, and Marijuana Anonymous
   
• Overeaters Anonymous offers a 12-step program of recovery from compulsive eating and provides a fellowship of experience, strength and hope where members respect one another’s anonymity
   
• Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous holds the belief that sex and love addiction is a progressive illness which cannot be cured but which, like many illnesses, can be arrested.