Addiction

Addiction spans many different areas. People can become addicted to things such as gambling, sex, social media and many more things but the main two categories are drugs and alcohol. The thing that they all have in common is the behaviours that the addictions trigger in us.

It is said that there is a link between addiction and trauma. As in, the majority of addicts would recognise having experienced some form of severe trauma at some point in their lives.

As such, addiction can be a complex thing thing to conquer.

Thankfully, we have some great options for you to seek help and support in the UK.

Alcoholics Anonymous

"Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety."
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Narcotics Anonymous

We are Narcotics Anonymous in the United Kingdom & Channel Islands. If you have a problem with drugs, we are recovering drug addicts who can help you get and stay clean.
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Cocaine Anonymous

Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or fees for membership; we are fully self supporting through our own contributions. We are not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation, or institution. We do not wish to engage in any controversy and we neither endorse nor oppose any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay free from cocaine and all other mind-altering substances, and to help others achieve the same freedom.
Find a meeting

All of the many different Anonymous meetings help millions of people around the world. If you would like to know more about AA, NA or CA, please click on the links where you will be able to find your nearest meetings.

Below are other organisations and resources that millions of other people also find useful when in recovery from addiction of all kinds.

Let us know if there are any that aren't listed by clicking here.

Staying Sober Without God

"To help others find sobriety without reference to, or reliance upon, any religious or supernatural being, force or higher power.

As a group we do not endorse or oppose any form of religion, atheism or agnosticism.

We simply provide a secular environment in which to share our alcohol-related experiences and learn from one another."

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LifeRing

"If you want to stay sober and in recovery, then you are welcome in LifeRing.

By sobriety, we mean complete abstinence from alcohol and other addictive drugs that are not medically indicated. In LifeRing, people who once misused a variety of addictive substances work side by side on their recovery.

Your religion or lack of it remains your private business in LifeRing. We do not use prayer or talk about religion. Our recovery process relies on sober-to-sober connections with other people. What is important is that each person takes responsibility for their own recovery and is available to give support to others."

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SMART Recovery

UK SMART Recovery (UKSR) is a registered charity which promotes choice in recovery through a national network of mutual-aid meetings and online training programmes with comprehensive teaching materials and manuals. Our Programme teaches rational, easy to learn and self-empowering skills to help participants abstain from any addictive behaviour and to develop a lifestyle that supports sustained recovery.

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Recovery Dharma

Recovery Dharma is a peer-led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. We believe that the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom.

We believe that recovery means empowerment, and we support each other as partners walking the path together. We believe that recovery is rooted in finding our own inner wisdom and individual journeys.

Recovery Dharma is founded on, and inspired by, Buddhism that originated in India and later on flourished in other regions of Asia (e.g., South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia). We deeply appreciate the Buddhist heritage that was protected and freely offered by the ancestors of these cultures.

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