Alcohol Recovery Resources

AA History & Alcoholics Help Directory

Please take the time to look through the alcohol recovery resources below, and feel free to contact us if you need guidance. People respond in different ways to the various resources available. Understanding and choosing the type of meeting or path to recovery that is right for you or a loved one can make a difference in the outcome of treatment, therapy, and support. We offer intervention support for families of loved ones who may have an alcohol use disorder.

Alcoholics Anonymous – An evidence based, self-help program. The only requirement for attendance is the desire to stop drinking. AA has resources and a meeting for your location and surrounding area.
The International Journal of Alcoholics Anonymous – Monthly magazine with stories about how members stay sober.
Online Intergroup : Alcoholics Anonymous – Serves all online AA groups that wish to participate. Services include an online meeting directory, help by email for a drinking problem, and a calendar of worldwide AA events.
The National Association for Christian Recovery – The NACR’s primary purpose is to help the Christian community become a safer and more helpful place for people struggling with the most difficult of life’s problems.
Friends of Dr Bob – Dr. Bob and the early AA’s grounded recovery in the Four Absolutes and daily guidance through Two Way Prayer.
Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization – Never before in the history of 12-step programs has a fellowship brought together such a diverse group of recovering people, including adult children of alcoholics, codependents, and addicts of various sorts.
Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc. – Many who come to Al-Anon/Alateen are in despair, feel hopeless, and are unable to believe things can ever change. We want our lives to be different, but nothing we have done has brought about change. We come to Al-Anon because we want and need help.
SMART Recovery – Self Management for Addiction Recovery – The leading self-empowering addiction recovery support group. Our participants learn tools in support of addiction recovery based on the latest scientific research, and they participate in a world-wide community which includes free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups.
AA agnostica – A worldwide space for AA agnostics, atheists, and freethinkers.
Secular AA – Our purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety, to widen the gateway to recovery, and to help make AA ever more inclusive.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Powered by hundreds of thousands of passionate advocates and supporters, MADD remains focused on one number – zero. Zero deaths. Zero injuries. Zero families impacted by impaired driving.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – Impaired driving
Ways to Prevent Drinking and Driving – People continue to drive impaired by alcohol and drugs, and proper enforcement can deter them.
What’s Driving You – This interactive, thought-provoking experience is for young adults (and their parents, friends, and teachers) who are concerned about drinking and driving.
Blood Alcohol Concentration & Calculator – Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels represent the percent of your blood that is concentrated with alcohol. A BAC of .10 means that .1% of your bloodstream is composed of alcohol.
Blood alcohol content explained – Blood alcohol content (BAC), also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level, is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes.
Blood Alcohol Concentration Video

Al-Anon – A group that comes together to share and discuss their own recovery from a substance user and how that has affected them and other family members.
NACoA – National Association for Children of Alcoholics
Alateen – A place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism. Teenagers between 13 to 18 years old can register to attend the Alateen Chat meetings.
Alateen – A place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism.
SAMHSA’s underage drinking prevention campaign – SAMHSA’s underage drinking prevention campaign helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children about the dangers of alcohol.
Families Anonymous – FAMILIES ANONYMOUS is a 12-step fellowship for the families and friends who have known a feeling of desperation concerning the destructive behavior of someone near to them, whether caused by drugs, alcohol, or related behavioral problems.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Provides certain employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.
Recovery for Adult Children of Alcoholics – This site was created to provide a resource for people interested in the work of Dr. Janet Woititz for ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) and others who can relate or grew up in dysfunctional family environments.
Recovering Couples Anonymous – A fellowship of recovering couples who suffer from many addictions and dysfunctions and share their experience, strength, and hope with each other to solve common problems and help other recovering couples restore their relationships.
Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships – It has long been known that marriage (or other long-term, committed relationships) and substance abuse don’t mix.
D.A.R.E. America – Launched in 1983, D.A.R.E. is a comprehensive K-12 education program taught in thousands of schools in America and 52 other countries.
Friday Night Live – “Friday Night Live builds partnerships for positive and healthy youth development which engage youth as active leaders and resources in their communities.”
College Drinking – Changing the Culture – This is a one-stop resource for comprehensive research-based information on issues related to alcohol abuse and binge drinking among college students.

NOFAS – Play it Safe. Alcohol and Pregnancy Don’t Mix!
The Institute of Alcohol Studies: Health impacts – National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The World Health Organization: Alcohol Fact Sheet – Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with dependence-producing properties that has been widely used in many cultures for centuries. The harmful use of alcohol causes disease as well as social and economic burdens in societies.
The Medical Council on Alcohol (MCA) – The vision of the MCA is to have a workforce of health professionals educated and supported to reduce health harm from alcohol.
Alcoholic Liver Disease – Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world.
American Liver Foundation – The mission of the American Liver Foundation is to facilitate, advocate, and promote education, support, and research for the prevention, treatment, and cure of liver disease.
Dry Drunk Syndrome – Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Overcoming Paws, Also Known as Dry Drunk Syndrome
Mayo Clinic: Alcoholic hepatitis – Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by drinking alcohol.
Mayo Clinic: Alcohol use disorder – Alcohol use disorder (which includes a level that’s sometimes called alcoholism) is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.
Rethinking Drinking – Alcohol and your health

World History of Alcohol Video Our 9,000-Year Love Affair With Booze – Alcohol isn’t just a mind-altering drink: It has been a prime mover of human culture from the beginning, fueling the development of the arts, language, and religion.
Myths About Drinking
National Center for Health Statistics – Alcohol Use – Alcohol Use Statistics
Alcohol Justice – Works to hold Big Alcohol accountable for the harm its products cause.
FTC – Alcohol Laws by State – All states prohibit providing alcohol to persons under 21, although states may have limited exceptions relating to lawful employment, religious activities, or consent by a parent, guardian, or spouse.
Center for Alcohol Policy – The purpose of the Center is to educate policymakers, regulators, and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness, and its regulation.
Legal Information Institute – Alcohol State Laws

TIPS® (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) – The global leader in education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol.
The Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA) – A non-profit professional organization founded in 1976. Its mission is to improve health and well-being through interdisciplinary leadership in substance use education, research, clinical care, and policy.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) – For over 70 years, The NCADD has been a valuable resource for millions of people struggling with alcoholism and addiction.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Locator – Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.
The Institute of Alcohol Studies – The Institute of Alcohol Studies is an independent institute bringing together evidence, policy, and practice from home and abroad to promote an informed debate on the impact of alcohol on society.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – Understanding the impact of alcohol on human health and well-being.
American Society of Addiction Medicine – ASAM, founded in 1954, is a professional medical society representing over 5,000 physicians, clinicians, and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.
Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists – An international association of individuals and organizations with special interests in the exchange and dissemination of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) information.
National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse – Connects science with policy and practice to better the lives of all people impacted by substance use and addiction.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) – The objective of ASAP is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse among the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population to a level that is at or below the general U.S. population.

An intervention is not about how to control your loved one with a substance use or mental health disorder; it is about learning how to let go of believing you can.

1 (877) 728-1122

AA History

The Introduction of ‘The Big Book’

Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob Smith, a physician from Akron, Ohio came together to form Alcoholics Anonymous, an evidence-based treatment that is by far the most popular self-help group available today. Wilson formed many of his ideas for the 12 steps from what were originally the 6 tenets of the Oxford Group. The book of Alcoholics Anonymous is not a novel but rather a textbook. Regardless of which treatment modality is preferred, the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous is to accept a change in behavior while taking suggestions from someone other than the substance user. Alcoholics Anonymous has changed dramatically since the “Disease Concept of Addiction” introduced by Dr. E.M. Jellinek in 1960. What was once a program with an astonishing rate of recovery is now considered by many to be ineffective. But when the basics of AA’s original message are followed, the resulting success stories of sobriety resonate far and wide.

By 2013, Alcoholics Anonymous had reportedly spread to about 170 nations – in the form of 115,000 different chapters and 2.1 million members.

What Are the 12 Steps of AA?

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are suggested to be worked by focusing on momentum. Unfortunately, the 12-step program has been altered from its original intent. The book suggests that members “launch onto a course of vigorous action.” It does not say that “we did not get sick in one day, so take your time getting better.”

Unfortunately, that is often the chatter currently heard in AA groups. Today, many people in Alcoholics Anonymous tell newcomers that the program is selfish. Interestingly enough, that is the exact opposite of what the Alcoholics Anonymous book says. In fact, it references being unselfish and living on an altruistic plane. As noted above, Alcoholics Anonymous members have changed the program over the years with their opinions and self-will. Much of what one hears in AA is not faithful to the philosophy described in the foundational text.

The purpose of Alcoholics Anonymous is to work the steps with momentum, to carry the message to newcomers at meetings, and to work with others while taking them through the steps. Bill Wilson worked the first 11 steps at Towns Hospital in New York City in two days. With the permission of Dr. William Silkworth, a physician at the hospital, Bill was allowed after eight days of sobriety to carry the message (the 12th step) to others in the hospital. At some point, treatment providers suggested that people find sponsors with multiple years of sobriety. That is not what the book says either. Why would you want a sponsor who is 2 years sober on step 3 who is still considered sick and running on self-will? You should be looking for someone who has worked the first 11 steps and is ready to work step 12 by carrying the message to you. There is a well-known picture of Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson sitting with Bill Dotson (considered to be AA #3) in the Flower Room of the hospital, a room for patients whom they assumed were going to die. The picture captures the two men attempting to carry the message—the twelfth step—to Bill Dotson. At the time of that photo, it is suggested that Bill Wilson had 6 months sober and Dr. Bob had been sober for about two weeks.

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous can be summarized as follows:

● Trust God

● Clean House

● Help Others

What to Expect in Today’s AA Meetings

What was originally expected to happen in AA meetings does not occur today as often as it should. Alcoholics Anonymous was built on working the steps quickly and carrying the message of the book to meetings. Currently, there are many discussion meetings that have evolved into topic meetings, oftentimes not adhering to the AA tradition of carrying the message. A term sometimes heard in relation to these kinds of meetings is “they’re carrying the mess, not the message”. Before getting discouraged, know that many good meetings take place that are based on discussion. The goal should be to find one that is discussing solutions based on AA principles, not solutions based on an untreated alcoholic’s opinion.

Other popular meeting formats are called speaker meetings. These meetings can be effective if the speakers resist sharing a list of their drunk or drug experiences with the group. Unfortunately, this happens and is not helpful for many. If speakers share insights while keeping in mind the vision of Alcoholics Anonymous, they will use their time to carry the message. They will share their experiences, strengths, and hopes, based on the changes in their own lives that have resulted from working the steps and sponsoring others.

With all the changes to today’s Alcoholics Anonymous, a good way to find effective meetings is to look for ones that focus on:

● Big Book Study

● Step Meetings

● Primary Purpose

● 12 & 12

● Joe & Charlie Meetings

This information is not meant to scare anyone away from Alcoholics Anonymous. It is by far the most effective self-help group available. Millions of people are sober today and have far better lives than they ever imagined as a result of AA participation. Our suggestion is to find a meeting that imparts the message and relies on the basics. AA has not changed. Unfortunately, over time and as with many things in life, we humans like to change things that are already working well.

“The most formidable challenge we professionals face is families not accepting our suggested solutions. Rather, they only hear us challenging theirs. Interventions are as much about families letting go of old ideas as they are about being open to new ones. Before a family can do something about the problem, they must stop allowing the problem to persist. These same thoughts and principles apply to your loved one in need of help.”
Mike Loverde, MHS, CIP