There are many ways to connect with others who have struggled with substance use. Here is a partial list, but remember: there’s always more! If you don’t like the recovery support you have already found, search online groups or social media, ask friends for their advice, or search the internet. There are
so many places where people are sharing experiences with substance use, addiction, and recovery.
Crisis & Treatment Resources
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, these free national resources are available 24/7.
SAMHSA National Helpline – Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing substance use disorders. Call or text 1-800-662-4357 (1-800-662-HELP). Available in English and Spanish, no insurance required.
FindTreatment.gov – SAMHSA’s official treatment locator to find nearby substance use and mental
health treatment facilities.
Pittsburgh Area Face-to-Face Recovery Support
These are groups where you can talk with people face-to-face. More specific information about each group is available online. To learn where and when they meet, try doing an internet search (example: “Pittsburgh Narcotics Anonymous”) or use the contact information listed below.
12-Step Groups – There are many, many 12-step meetings in the Pittsburgh area. They include:
- Alcoholics Anonymous – focused on alcohol, includes other drugs
- Al-Anon/Alateen – for friends and family members
- Cocaine Anonymous – focused on cocaine, includes other drugs
- Dual Recovery Anonymous – focused on addiction & mental health
- Emotions Anonymous – focused on difficult emotions & mental health
- Gamblers Anonymous – focused on gambling
- Narcotics Anonymous – focused on illegal drug use, includes alcohol
- Nar-Anon – for friends and family members
- Overeaters Anonymous – focused on food
- Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous – focused on sex and love
For specific information, do an internet search (example: “Pittsburgh Narcotics Anonymous”) which will give you meeting information and phone numbers to call.
Celebrate Recovery – A Christ-based 12-step recovery program that meets in North Braddock. Contact cr@bridgecitypgh.com for more info.
Harm Redux/Recovery Punx Meetings – Group that supports any positive change related to drug and alcohol use. Contact malcolm@pppgh.org for more info.
Heart of Recovery – Buddhist recovery group that meets once per week, usually at the Shambhala Meditation Center. Contact heartofrecoverypgh@gmail.com for more info.
Onala Recovery Center – A community center on Pittsburgh’s Southside that hosts recovery meetings multiple times a day. Visit www.onala.org or call (412) 471-8797 for more info.
Lost Dreams Awakening – A community center in New Kensington that hosts recovery meetings throughout the month. Call (724) 594-7903 or visit recoverysupportservices.net for more info.
Recovery Dharma – Buddhist recovery group that meets 1–2 times per week, both in-person and online. Contact Rbenwatson@gmail.com for more info.
Sage’s Army – A community center in Greensburg that hosts recovery meetings throughout the month, including SMART Recovery, 12-Step, and family/grief groups. Call (724) 863-5433 or visit www.sagesarmy.com for more info.
SMART Recovery – A cognitive-behavioral based recovery support group that meets in several locations in the Pittsburgh area. Contact brianjnuckols@gmail.com for more info.
Web- and Phone-Based Recovery Support Groups
These groups meet virtually, which means that people participate from all over the country (and sometimes all over the world!). Click on each link to visit a website with specific information about how to connect with the group.
Online Intergroup AA – Meetings and support via email, text, telephone, Zoom, and discussion
forums.
Cocaine Anonymous Online – Web-based, phone-based, and email-based meetings.
In the Rooms Online Recovery Meetings – A global online community with hundreds of thousands
of members who share their strength and experience with one another daily. Free account required.
Marijuana Anonymous Online – 24/7 chatroom and weekly online meetings.
Virtual NA – Hundreds of online Narcotics Anonymous meetings from all over the world, available in
multiple languages.
Spanish-Speakers AA Group Online – Group calls every day with Spanish-speakers all over the world
via Microsoft Teams.
Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous (MARA) Online Meetings – 12-step
fellowship for anyone using medication to support their recovery.
LifeRing Secular Recovery Online – LifeRing Secular Recovery is an organization of
people who are seeking a non-spiritual path to recovery.
Refuge Recovery Online – Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist recovery program. Online meetings
are open to anyone.
Recovery Dharma Online – Buddhist recovery program with daily video and phone meetings,
including specialized groups for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, and men.
The Phoenix Online Programming – Recovery-based health and wellness
groups including livestreamed CrossFit, yoga, and meditation. Also includes on-demand content and an online Recovery Social Hour.
Unity All Recovery Digital Meetings – Philadelphia-based Recovery Community Organization offering free online meetings for any recovery path from addiction or mental illness, including specialized groups for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Women for Sobriety Online – Online forum and telephone support for women in recovery.
Chronic Pain Anonymous – Video and phone meetings for those with chronic pain and chronic illness.
The Daily Pledge – Online meetings, chatrooms, and recovery resources from the Hazelden Betty
Ford Foundation.
Young People in Recovery – A national organization that hosts digital events to help support recovery and wellbeing among young people.
Online Discussion Forums
These are not real-time meetings, but instead are like online bulletin boards where you can post questions and connect with others who have similar experiences to share.
AA Chat Room – Online global support with group chats and online meetings. Community-run and available 24/7.
StepChat Recovery Chat Rooms – Meetings and chatrooms for a variety of 12-step groups.
Redditors in Recovery – Reddit group to hang out, share experiences, and support each other. Discuss the various ways to achieve and maintain a life free from active addiction.
Additional Reddit forums related to addiction & recovery – A list of subreddits covering substance use, addiction, and recovery.
Digital Apps
These are apps that you can download to your smartphone to help connect you to resources, support, and ways to track your achievements.
Pink Cloud – An app that connects you with 12-step meetings worldwide (200,000+ meetings across AA, NA, Al-Anon, SMART, and more) and provides tools to track your sobriety. No account required.
SoberBuddy – Drug and alcohol recovery support app with daily check-ins, sober tracker, bite-size
challenges, in-app journal, and relapse recovery help. Reports over 150,000 users.
WEconnect Health – An app and platform that helps track recovery goals, daily self-care, and
provides connections to peer support and a variety of virtual support groups.
Other Ways to Connect
These are websites and blogs about experiences with addiction and recovery, where you can find interesting stories and perspectives.
Benya Clark on Medium – A writer and blogger who explores sobriety and mental health, with
over 25,000 followers.
The Fix – A website covering addiction and recovery news, treatment information, and expert
perspectives.
Soberistas – A membership-based community with blog posts, tips, and one-on-one coaching to quit
drinking. Directed toward women.
Harm Reduction
National Harm Reduction Coalition Resource Center – Guides and resources on overdose prevention, naloxone, fentanyl safety, syringe access, and medication-assisted treatment.
Never Use Alone – Call before you use; if you overdose, they’ll help. Available 24/7 at 1-800-484-3731.
Next Distro – Harm reduction supplies by mail, including naloxone.