Education library
These articles explain how recovery meetings work, how peer support differs from professional treatment, and how to check whether a resource is current. Nothing here is medical advice, and none of it replaces care from a qualified professional.
12 articles shown
Getting started · 6 min read
A plain-language introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous: how they are organized, what membership means, and what they do not do.
Read articleGetting started · 5 min read
A step-by-step guide to choosing a meeting, confirming the details, and getting through the door for the first time.
Read articleGetting started · 5 min read
The typical shape of a 12-step meeting, from the opening readings through the discussion and closing, and the difference between open and closed meetings.
Read articleFor families · 6 min read
Practical ways family and friends can be useful without taking over, including what to say, what to avoid, and where families find support for themselves.
Read articleMeetings · 5 min read
How virtual and in-person meetings differ in practice, when each works better, and how to get the most out of a virtual meeting.
Read articleUnderstanding options · 6 min read
The difference between a peer meeting and clinical care, how they complement each other, and when professional or emergency care is the right next step.
Read articleMeetings · 4 min read
How to locate meetings in an unfamiliar city or another country, and how to keep a routine intact while away from home.
Read articleMeetings · 4 min read
Options for rural areas, night shifts, mobility limits, and anyone whose schedule does not line up with the meetings nearby.
Read articleEveryday recovery · 5 min read
Why a network matters more than a single meeting, and how to build one deliberately over the first few months.
Read articleUnderstanding options · 4 min read
What anonymity protects, how it applies to online meetings and to family members, and what it does not mean.
Read articleUnderstanding options · 5 min read
How mental health and substance use interact, why integrated care matters, and where to start looking for it.
Read articleUnderstanding options · 5 min read
A short checklist for telling a genuine resource from a lead-generation page, and how to check whether a listing is current.
Read articleBrowse by state or city, or go straight to the fellowship pages for AA and NA.
Three ways to take the next step
You do not have to work out the next step alone. Talk to a person now, ask to be called back, or head to professional care — all three are free to explore and commit you to nothing.
Speak to a person about meetings near you, peer support, or what a first step looks like. No cost, no obligation to continue.
Prefer not to call? Fill out a short form with the best time to reach you and a person will get back to you. Share only what you are comfortable sharing.
Detox, residential rehabilitation, and outpatient programs are covered by Find Your Recovery, our primary treatment resource.
Opens findyourrecovery.com
In an emergency call 911. For mental health or suicide crisis support, call or text 988.
National Recovery Directory is a resource directory, not a treatment provider, medical practice, or emergency service. If you or someone you care about needs help right now, please contact emergency services directly.
A peer support meeting is not a substitute for emergency medical treatment. Severe alcohol or sedative withdrawal can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical care.