Secular Recovery Resources

[Tristan]

Hello All,

Thought I'd toss in a quick overview of some of the options available to those wanting to end their substance addiction. There is a page on this site as well, but here is a brief description of some of the more popular ones:

SMART Recovery
www.smartrecovery.net
Teaches self-empowerment and self-reliance. Works on addictions/compulsions as complex maladaptive behaviors with possible physiological factors. Teaches tools and techniques for self-directed change. Encourages individuals to recover and live satisfying lives. Meetings are educational and include open discussions. Advocates the appropriate use of prescribed medications and psychological treatments. Evolves as scientific knowledge evolves. Differs from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and traditional 12-step programs.

Rational Recovery
www.rational.org
Book, “Rational Recovery, The New Cure for Substance Addiction.� Offers free online Crash Course that helps to end your addiction permanently and privately. Rational Recovery is the original resource on self-recovery, providing inspiration and guidance in every community through the internet, bookstores, and libraries. The website is a comprehensive resource which will allow you to proceed to full recovery in as short a time as you like -- without the use of any other resources such as recovery groups, professional counselors, or addiction treatment centers.

SOS Secular Sobriety
www.secularsobriety.org
Save Our Selves is dedicated to providing a path to sobriety, an alternative to those paths depending upon supernatural or religious beliefs. We respect diversity, welcome healthy skepticism, and encourage rational thinking as well as the expression of feelings.

The Stanton Peele Addiction Website
www.peele.net
Book, “The Truth About Addiction and Recovery.�
Stanton Peele also presents workshops on the nature and treatment of substance abuse and other addictions. He covers cultural and social determinants of addiction, a general model of addiction, natural recovery in addiction, harm reduction treatment, motivational interviewing, brief interventions, skills training, returning clients to the community, and related topics.

LifeRing Secular Recovery
www.unhooked.com
The successful LifeRing participant practices the Sobriety Priority, meaning that nothing is allowed to interfere with staying abstinent from alcohol and "drugs." The motto is "we do not drink or use, no matter what." LifeRing Recovery welcomes people of all faiths and none. You get to keep whatever religious beliefs you have, and you are under no pressure to acquire any if you don't. Self-help in LifeRing means that the key to recovery is the individual's own motivation and effort. The main purpose of the group process is to reinforce the individual's own inner strivings to stay clean and sober. LifeRing is a permanent workshop where individuals can build their own personal recovery plans.

Women For Sobriety
www.womenforsobriety.org
Women For Sobriety, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women overcome alcoholism and other addictions. Our "New Life" program helps achieve sobriety and sustain ongoing recovery.

Jeffrey Schaler
www.schaler.net
Book, “Addiction is a Choice"

Regards,

Tristan

[Dan]

Cool. For a guy who objected to having links provided in the NA alternatives thread, you show an amazing turnaround in a very short time. Here's my take on a few of the alternatives you mention, and keep in mind, this is only my experience.
During an online meeting at the SMART website, I was asked what I possibly could hope to learn there while I was still active in AA and NA. Granted, it was just one person, but it still begs wonderment.
I mentionned the word spirituality in the Lifering chat room and was asked, to the point of pestering, what I meant by that.

Now having said that, I recognize a lot of good stuff in SMART and use some of it's tenets in my recovery.

So thanks for the links Tristan. Shared personal experience though, is probably what most people who come here are looking for. I'm starting to wonder if you are guarding yours for a reason.
Peace in recovery.

[dotcom]

Good links Tristan. Im sure they will be very helpful to people.

ROCK ON,

dot