Non 12-Step Recovery Resources
This guide provides a comprehensive list of non 12-step recovery resources for folks seeking additional support. You’ll find peer-support groups, crisis helplines, BIPOC and LGBTQIA-specific resources, therapist directories, recovery podcasts, inspiring people to follow, recovery-related books, articles, and more.
Helplines
Non-12-step pathways of recovery
Extensive list of resources containing pathways of recovery, mutual-aid groups, LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC resources:
Mutual-aid meetings
Recovery 2.0 (Provides online meetings, yoga, and meditation classes)
SHE RECOVERS (For women only)
Soberistas: (For women only)
Unity Recovery: Offer daily digital recovery meetings of all types
Women for Sobriety (For women only)
Life After 12-Step Recovery: a group of nearly 2,000 people who have left 12-step and those who are in the process of leaving
LGBTQ+ Support Groups & Resources
Support groups and professional resources are critical for people that hold marginalized identities, such as the LGBTQ+ individuals, especially when experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorder(s). Peer support groups offer understanding and empathy, and LGBTQ+-affirming/identifying providers can provide a safe space to help navigate systems and barriers to care and provide specific resources, because race and ethnicity present further barriers and greater discrimination.
Wellbriety, hosted by White Bison is a mutual-aid support meeting that provides culturally based healing to Indigenous People across America and Canada. You can attend meetings in-person and online. While not LGBTQ+ specific, people who identify that way do attend.
Recovery Dharma (BIPOC Only group): A Buddhist-inspired (non-12 step) recovery support group that hosts meetings specifically for BIPOC, and BIPOC LGBTQ2S folks.
Call Blackline: provides peer support, counseling, and resources for Black LGBTQ+ individuals through a Black femme lens.
Melanin & Mental Health: hold monthly events for Black and Lantinx/Hispanic communities.
Therapy for Black Girls: an online space to join a community of Black women seeking to improve their lives and relationships.
You Are Not Alone Network: Not a support group exactly, but an online community for people struggling with and recovering from mental health issues.
Gay & Sober: provide daily online meetings for LGBT folks in recovery
PFLAG: this organization provides support groups for LGBTQ people with 400 chapters nationally
Gay and Lesbians in AA (GAL-AA): a 12-step support group for gay and lesbian individuals seeking recovery.
QTIBIPOC Healing Space: a Facebook support group
Trevor Project: provides peer support groups for LGBTQ youth in their TrevorSpace.
Trans Youth Online Talk Group: a weekly space for trans youth under the age of 14
BIPOC recovery resources
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (Covers OR, WA, and ID)
Wellbriety Community (Facebook group)
Culturally Specific Resources
Celebrate Recovery (Christian)
JACS (Jewish)
Millati Islami (Islamic)
Harm Reduction Education & Resources
Harm Reduction Works: a meeting for folks seeking to reduce harm around substance use
Shatterproof : a mental health organization focused on reducing stigma and providing harm reduction resources
Medically Assisted Treatment Resources
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a combination of medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies to provide a “whole-patient” approach to treating substance use disorders. Below you can find a list of helpful MAT resources.
MAT Resources
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides reliable, easy-to-read information about substance use disorders and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Key MAT resources include:
Medication-Assisted Treatment (includes effectiveness data)
Sinclair Method Resources
The Sinclair Method is an evidence-based treatment for “problematic drinking” developed by Dr. John D. Sinclair. Unlike treatments that require complete abstinence from alcohol, the Sinclair Method allows you to continue drinking alcohol at the beginning of treatment.
Resources:
TEDx Talk by Claudia Christian, who used the Sinclair Method
Recovery Books
This is an excerpt from Resources for Tempest, researched and written by Olivia Pennelle.
By Bessel Van Der Kolk
This book is for anyone who has experienced trauma, and that’s up to 75 percent of us in recovery. Dr. Kristine De Jesus, PsyD, describes this important book as helping to “demystify the role of trauma in how humans cope.” It is really insightful for folx in recovery to get connected to their physical selves and understand the root of their trauma.
The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease
By Marc Lewis
A really interesting take on the disease model of addiction. This book explores how desire works in the brain and the learned pattern of addiction.
This incredible book highlights the findings of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) and discusses the relationship between ACEs and chronic illness later in life. It provides a roadmap on how to overcome ACEs and navigate healing.
By Maia Szalavitz
In this book, described as a “revolutionary new way of understanding addiction,” Maia Szalavitz challenges the paradigm of addiction and its treatment as outdated and offers a new way to think about addiction — that it is a learning disorder. This critical book offers important insights that can help you shape how you view addiction and recovery.
This Is How: Surviving What You Think You Can't
By Augusten Burroughs
This book is popular with many people in recovery. It tells you how to overcome, deal with, and weather many life experiences. It is a great resource for people in recovery who could do with some guidance on how to handle life.
By Glennon Doyle
You may think this is a book about her late-in-life coming out, but it isn’t. This is a book about unleashing your truest self. It’s a book of empowerment, of celebration, and full of incredible insights into what it means to be a woman and stand in your greatness. Doyle tells you that you don’t need to shy away from your vulnerabilities; rather, you can reclaim them, be proud of them, and know who you are.
Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices
By Deb Dana
Polyvagal theory is scientific and can be inaccessible if you’re not an academic or working as a therapist. Dana has helpfully translated polyvagal theory into helpful exercises. Don’t be fooled by because it’s a book for therapists: these are exercises that anyone can use. In short, this is how we calm our nervous systems — the tool that we were looking for at the bottom of a bottle!
Sex in Recovery: A Meeting Between the Covers
By Jennifer Matesa
Sexuality and physical relationships can change and evolve in recovery, especially without alcohol. Many of us feel anxious navigating sex sober. In this book, Matesa navigates the somewhat taboo territory of sober sexuality and offers a candid and compassionate insight into sexuality and intimacy in recovery.
By Pema Chodron
You may have discovered that sobriety isn’t always a bed of roses. Life happens, and so do tragedies. Things will fall apart. And that’s okay. This book is about how to navigate difficult times and is a popular companion for many folx in recovery.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself
By Nedra Glover Tawwab
You may have seen Tawwab’s helpful boundary guides on Instagram. She’s now published a book all about boundaries — a critical path to navigate for everyone in recovery.
By Biet Simkin
Meditation is perhaps one of the most helpful tools for folx in recovery. Simkin provides helpful and relatable guides to make meditation work for almost anyone.
Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction
By Judith Grisel
This insightful book is written by a neuroscientist who happens to also be in recovery. It also provides a critical view of how we view addiction and how drugs play a role in our lives. This book serves as a guide, providing insights into how we might solve the addiction crisis.
Recovery Podcasts
Secular Buddhist
People to follow on social media
Instagram offers a fly-on-the-wall glimpse of the real lives of people in recovery, as well as great tips, tools, and resources to maintain your recovery and navigate life sans booze. Here are some of our favorite accounts.
A mindset coach that helps folks move through self-sabotage, Brooke offers an insightful lens to shift our view of the world. Follow @africabrooke
A recovery and mindset coach, Shari helps folx to get sober and reclaim control over their lives. Hampton also runs a BIPOC recovery group as part of SHE RECOVERS. Follow @iamsharihampton
Created by revolutionary Chris Marshall, Sans Bar is a sober bar based in Austin, Texas and also where you are. Its focus is on building community and authentic connection. A critical element of long-term recovery. Follow @sans_bar
The Nap Ministry believes that rest is a form of resistance and reparations. Their page examines the liberating power of naps. Rest and healthy sleeping habits — as well as resisting the patriarchy and decolonization — are crucial to maintaining long-term recovery. Follow @thenapministry
Tracy is sober, non-binary, lesbian, and queer. As well as being an awesome human, Tracy is great at advocating for queers, especially those navigating their sexuality in recovery. If you want an inclusive space to recover, you’ll find that here. Follow @murphthejerk
Doctor of psychology Kristine De Jesus talks about the intersection of recovery and social justice. She also founded The Wellness Cooperative, a recovery support service dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for everybody. The Wellness Cooperative also hosts great webinars, such as Developing Systems of Support for BIPOC to Recover. Follow @drkrisdejesus and @thewellnesscooperative
Dr. Jamie is an author, clinician, speaker, yogini, expressive artist and “EMDR Badass.” Dr. Jamie gives you the tools to express your trauma and process your recovery, whether that is dancing, yoga, expressive arts, or creativity. Follow @drjamiem
Known for her TEDx Talk, Gray Area Drinking, Park is an expert on getting alcohol-free and building healthy habits to regulate your nervous system. She trains coaches and healthcare practitioners to better help their clients, and helps high-achieving women. Follow @jolene__park
We mentioned her book already, but her Instagram is where you can also access her highly insightful resources for creating healthy boundaries and relationships — something many of us in recovery need help with. Follow @nedratawwab
Self-described as a psychologist who writes novels, Hardy provides helpful post-it notes that give you permission to care for yourself. That might be reminders about staying in a job you hate, or caution to stop drowning out your own voice with advice from others. Hardy is a guide in learning how to be autonomous and honor ourselves. Follow @drjennhardy
Kelly Fitzgerald Junco is a writer who shares vulnerability in life and encourages others to do the same. On her page, Kelly candidly shares the ups and downs of life in recovery and how she navigates it all while staying true to herself and her sobriety. She is inspiring and a great example of what it means to be in recovery. Follow @thesobersenorita
Self-described as “The Sober Sexpert,” Lara writes, records, and talks about sexuality in recovery. Follow @tawnymlara
You might also find the blog, Young Sober People on Instagram on our sister site, the Temper, a helpful resource.
Founded by women for women, SHE RECOVERS believes that women are stronger together. Find community support, resources, and retreats for women in all types of recovery. Follow @she_recovers
Co-Founder of SHE RECOVERS and creator of Rituals of Healing, Strong helps women to alchemize their lives through rituals centered around healing. Follow @tarynstrong
Silverman is one of the first recovery activists to build community for people in recovery. She describes herself as a mental health warrior and booze-free babe. You can find helpful information about how to socialize and what to drink while sober as well as a host of lively events. Follow @wearesober
Liv is a writer, recovery activist, and social work graduate student. She writes about all of the ingredients for a fulfilling recovery. Close to her heart is the intersectionality of addiction and recovery and the social injustice in access to life-saving treatment. Follow @livsrecoverykitchen
Articles about leaving 12-step programs
These articles detail the process of leaving 12-step recovery, the fears and feelings we encountered and how we navigated through. All written by Liv.
Recovery is Not Synonymous with AA
What Do I Do if I Want to Leave AA?
I Outgrew AA and Still Stayed Sober — It’s More Common Than You Think
How to Successfully Leave 12-Step Meetings
Life After 12 Steps: Why I left Alcoholics Anonymous and what my recovery looks like today
Other articles
Cali Sober: What Does It Mean For You and Your Recovery
Cannabis, Psychedelics and Recovery: It Isn’t As Binary As You Might Think
3 Women in Recovery Explain How Diet Culture Impacts Their Lives
How to Know You’re Ready to Quit Drinking
Resources for friends or family:
Al Anon: for adults friends, families and partners of those with SUD
Al Ateen for teens of friends, families and partners of those with SUD