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What is LifeRing Secular Recovery?
Strengthen the part of you that wants to be sober — through honest conversation, not steps or doctrine.
Get Twelva →The short answer
LifeRing Secular Recovery is a free, peer-led mutual-support program for people who want to stay free of alcohol and other addictive drugs. It is abstinence-based and entirely secular, and it is built on a simple idea captured in its motto: "empower your sober self." Rather than a fixed set of steps, LifeRing helps each person grow the part of them that wants recovery, in their own way.
The three S's
LifeRing's philosophy rests on three principles:
- Sobriety — abstinence from alcohol and other addictive drugs (other than medication taken as prescribed). Recovery here means complete abstinence, today.
- Secularity — meetings use no prayer or religion, out of respect for people of all faiths and none. There is no higher power.
- Self-empowerment — you are the expert on your own recovery. Each person decides what works and builds their own plan.
What a meeting feels like
The heart of a LifeRing meeting is "crosstalk" — open, conversational exchange where members respond to one another, share what is working, and problem-solve together. It is more of a relaxed dialogue than a series of separate monologues. The only requirement to take part is a desire to be sober, and members are asked to be sober when they share. Meetings run in person across several countries and online, and there is no charge, though a voluntary basket may be passed.
Build your own recovery plan
A distinctive feature of LifeRing is the personal recovery plan: rather than following one prescribed path, you assemble the practices and supports that genuinely help you, and adjust them as you go. The community and conversation exist to support that individual plan, not to override it.
How it compares
Research on the largest secular mutual-help groups — including LifeRing, SMART Recovery, and Women for Sobriety — suggests they appear comparable in effectiveness to 12-step programs for people whose goal is abstinence. LifeRing tends to suit those who want a secular, conversational, self-directed approach.
Where to start
LifeRing's own website lists in-person and online meetings. It is free to attend, and you are welcome to come and listen first.
Common questions
Is LifeRing religious?
No. LifeRing is fully secular. Meetings use no prayer or religion, and there is no higher power. It is built on three principles — sobriety, secularity, and self-empowerment — out of respect for people of all faiths and none.
What is "crosstalk" in a LifeRing meeting?
Crosstalk is open, conversational exchange between members — responding to one another, sharing what works, and problem-solving together. It is the heart of a LifeRing meeting and a key difference from formats where members speak one at a time without responding.
How is LifeRing different from SMART Recovery?
Both are free and secular. SMART Recovery centers on a structured 4-Point Program of cognitive-behavioral tools, while LifeRing centers on open conversation and each member building their own personal recovery plan. Many people try both to see which format suits them.
Keep reading
What is SMART Recovery?
A secular, science-based alternative to the 12 steps — built around practical tools you can use the moment a craving hits.
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.
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.
Where to go & trusted sources
Empower your sober self
Twelva supports secular, self-directed recovery alongside every other path — track your plan, your meetings, and your daily progress.
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.