If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
When it is and why it matters
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on June 26 each year, designated by the United Nations in 1987. In the United States, this day often intersects with broader conversations about substance use disorder, recovery, and the stigma that continues to prevent many people from getting support.
Substance use disorder affects millions of Americans. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.7 million people in the United States had a past-year substance use disorder. Of those, nearly half, about 22.4 million people, considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered (SAMHSA, 2023).
Recovery is possible. Peer support is one of the most consistent factors in helping people get there and stay there. This day is an opportunity to cut through stigma and point toward real resources.
What the research says
The evidence on peer support in recovery is substantial and growing:
- An estimated 29.3 million U.S. adults, about 11.1% of the adult population, report having resolved a significant substance use problem (Recovery Research Institute, 2024).
- Peer recovery support services improve treatment engagement and retention, and preliminary evidence suggests they support better substance use outcomes compared to standard care alone (Bassuk et al., 2016).
- After five continuous years of recovery, the relapse rate drops to approximately 15%, comparable to the general population (Addiction Help, 2024).
- Recovery coaching and peer support increase the likelihood of treatment engagement and sustained abstinence when integrated with clinical care (Springer Nature, 2025).
A note on language: this article uses person-first, recovery-affirming language throughout. People with substance use disorder are not defined by their disorder. Stigmatizing terms like “addict” or “junkie” are not used here because they create barriers to help-seeking and are not consistent with how the medical and public health communities describe substance use disorder.
Groups for recovery and substance use support in our directory
Our directory includes support groups for people in recovery from alcohol and drug use, as well as groups for family members and loved ones of people with substance use disorder. These include:
- Peer-led recovery support groups
- Clinician-facilitated groups for people in early recovery
- Groups for specific substances (alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis)
- Family and loved ones groups
- Groups that meet online for flexible, accessible participation
You do not need to be in formal treatment to attend a support group. Many people find that group support is a valuable bridge to or complement for clinical care.
How to choose a group
- What kind of recovery approach fits you? Some groups are 12-step based. Others use different frameworks (SMART Recovery, for example). Neither is right for everyone. Knowing what model appeals to you helps narrow the search.
- Substance-specific or general? Some groups focus on a particular substance. Others welcome anyone in recovery regardless of substance. Both can be effective.
- Where are you in recovery? Some groups are designed for early recovery. Others welcome people at any stage. Look for groups that match where you are right now.
- Are you a family member or loved one? If you are supporting someone with a substance use disorder, there are groups specifically for you. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are two well-known examples, but the directory includes others as well.
Other resources
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 or samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline: free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral service
- SMART Recovery: smartrecovery.org: science-based peer support for recovery from addictive behaviors
- Faces and Voices of Recovery: facesandvoicesofrecovery.org: national advocacy and recovery community organization
- Al-Anon: al-anon.org: support for families and friends of people with alcohol use disorder
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988: available 24/7 for anyone in crisis, including mental health and substance use crises
Frequently asked questions
Is substance use disorder a choice or a disease?
Substance use disorder is recognized by the medical community, including SAMHSA, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychiatric Association, as a complex brain disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. This does not mean individuals have no role in their recovery. It means that understanding substance use as a medical condition rather than a moral failure leads to better outcomes in prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Do I have to be abstinent to join a recovery support group?
It depends on the group. Some groups require abstinence as a condition of participation. Others welcome people at any stage, including those who are still actively using and considering change. Check the group description or ask the facilitator before attending. There is no single right path to recovery, and different groups serve people at different stages.
What is peer recovery support and how does it differ from treatment?
Peer recovery support is provided by people with lived experience of substance use disorder who have been trained to support others in recovery. It is not clinical treatment. It offers something different: the understanding of someone who has been through a similar experience. Research shows that peer support improves engagement with formal treatment, not just as a standalone intervention.
What if I am not ready for treatment but want some kind of support?
Support groups can be a good starting point even if you are not ready for formal treatment. Many people begin with a support group and find their way to treatment from there. SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is also available for confidential information and referrals without any obligation to enter treatment.
I am worried about a family member. Are there groups for me?
Yes. Al-Anon and Nar-Anon are peer support groups for family members and close friends of people with alcohol or drug use disorders. They focus on your experience, not on changing your loved one. Our directory also includes other groups for family members and loved ones. You do not have to wait for your family member to get help before getting support yourself.
References
SAMHSA. (2023). 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47095/2023NSDUHFFRRev01032025.pdf
Recovery Research Institute. (2024). Recovery facts. https://www.recoveryanswers.org/
Bassuk, E. L., Hanson, J., Greene, R. N., Richard, M., & Laudet, A. (2016). Peer-delivered recovery support services for addictions in the United States: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 63, 1-9.
The Group Guide is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we do not vet, supervise, or endorse the groups listed here. We are not a clinic and we do not provide clinical services or guarantee outcomes. That is the group’s work, not ours. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.