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How to find a recovery meeting near you
Finding the right room is easier than it feels. Here is exactly how to do it — in person or online, today.
Get Twelva →1. Choose a pathway
There is no single "right" program — only the one you will actually keep going to. If you want fellowship and a structured spiritual framework, look at 12-step (AA for alcohol, NA for drugs). If you prefer a secular, science-based approach, look at SMART Recovery. If faith is central for you, Celebrate Recovery. You can try more than one.
2. Use the official meeting finder
Every major fellowship runs its own up-to-date meeting directory — always the most reliable source:
- AA — the free Meeting Guide app, or the finder at aa.org.
- NA — the meeting search at na.org.
- SMART Recovery — in-person and online meetings at smartrecovery.org.
3. Can't get there? Meet online
Online and phone meetings run 24 hours a day, which means help is available the moment you need it — including late at night, when cravings are often worst. Most fellowships list their online meetings in the same directories above.
4. What to expect at your first meeting
You can arrive, sit at the back, and just listen. You are never required to speak, and you can introduce yourself by first name only. Meetings are free; a basket may be passed for expenses, but you are not obligated to give. If the first meeting does not feel like a fit, try a different group — they vary a lot.
If you need help right now
If you are in crisis, you do not have to wait for a meeting. The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) is free, confidential, and open 24/7. In the U.S., call or text 988 for immediate support.
Common questions
How do I find an AA meeting near me?
Use the free AA Meeting Guide app or the finder at aa.org/find-aa. Both show in-person and online meetings by location and time.
Are recovery meetings free?
Yes. AA, NA, SMART Recovery and most fellowships are free. A basket may be passed for room costs, but contributing is optional and not required.
Can I go to a meeting online?
Yes. Online and phone meetings run 24/7 across all major fellowships, listed in the same official directories as in-person meetings.
Keep reading
Is AA religious?
It is one of the most common reasons people hesitate to walk into a meeting. The honest answer is more open than most expect.
How to get a sponsor
A sponsor is one of the most useful relationships in early recovery — and getting one is far less intimidating than it sounds.
AA vs SMART Recovery
Two of the most widely used recovery programs take very different routes to the same place. Here is how they actually compare.
Where to go & trusted sources
Carry your recovery in your pocket
Twelva helps you track meetings, milestones, and the daily rhythm that keeps recovery going — whichever path you choose.
Get Twelva →In crisis? Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) · SAMHSA 1-800-662-HELP
Twelva is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, or any recovery fellowship. Program names and marks are the property of their respective owners. This page is for general information and is not medical advice.