Recovery Resources

Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Here are some resources to support individuals in recovery and their loved ones.

Recovery
Support

Recovery Support Groups

​Recovery support groups (also called self help, mutual help, or mutual aid groups) often play a vital role in recovery from alcoholism or substance use disorder. Research has shown that active involvement in support groups improves the likelihood of success in recovery.

The recovery community has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with new and improved online recovery support and other innovations.

Find a recovery support group that meets your needs through SAMHSA, APNC, Shatterproof, or the North Carolina Professionals Health Program.

Collegiate Recovery Programs

College and graduate students in recovery face unique challenges and opportunities. Collegiate recovery programs offer a supportive program designed to provide educational opportunities as well as recovery support.

Addiction Professionals of North Carolina runs a state collegiate recovery program and provides a list of such programs at colleges and Universities in North Carolina.

The Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) also supports collegiate recovery programs and communities across the nation.

Recovery Community Organizations

Recovery community organizations are non-profit groups led by representatives of local communities of recovery. These organizations often engage in recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, or offer peer-based recovery support services.

Community Impact NC maintains this list of Recovery Community Organizations

Help for Professionals

​North Carolina Professionals Health Program encourages the well-being and recovery of medical professionals through compassion, support, accountability, and advocacy. NCPHP’s experienced team assists health care providers with substance use disorders, mental health issues, and other issues that may affect their ability to deliver optimal care and services to their patients.

The North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program is a service of the North Carolina State Bar that provides free, confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, and law students in addressing substance abuse, mental health issues, and other stressors that impair or may impair a lawyer’s ability to practice law effectively.

BarCARES is a confidential, short-term intervention program provided cost-free to members of participating judicial district bars, voluntary bar associations and law schools.

National Recovery Organizations

National organizations that provide information and advocacy on recovery issues include:

The Ten Guiding
Principles of Recovery

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the ten guiding principles of recovery are these:

  1. Recovery emerges from hope
  2. Recovery is person-driven
  3. Recovery occurs through many pathways
  4. Recovery is holistic
  5. Recovery is supported by peers and allies
  6. Recovery is supported through relationships and social networks
  7. Recovery is influenced by a person’s culture
  8. Recovery is supported by addressing trauma
  9. Recovery involves individual, family and community strengths and responsibility
  10. Recovery is based on respect

Learn more from SAMHSA through the links below:

Learn more from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD):

Learn more from Shatterproof: