Options for Nonreligious, Agnostic, or Atheist Individuals

Individuals who do not wish to be involved in programs that focus on spirituality or a religious doctrine, but still wish to become involved in peer support groups that allow them to freely interact with others in recovery, can readily find groups to suit their needs. Some of the major organizations that offer nonreligious environments that are appropriate for atheist or agnostic individuals include the following:

Smart Management and Recovery Training (SMART recovery) is a nonspiritual, nonreligious approach to empowering people to achieve successful recovery from substance abuse.

Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) is a nonprofit network of secular recovery programs.

Life Ring is a secular group that focuses on abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Moderation Management (MM) is a secular program that focuses on the controlled use of alcohol in recovering individuals. This program may not be for everyone.

Women for Sobriety is a nonprofit secular organization for women in recovery.

It should be noted that individuals in recovery, regardless of whether they incorporate spiritual or religious practices into their substance abuse treatment, should get involved in programs that follow the effective principles of treatment listed above.