Books, Radio & Media

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GENERAL

	Addict In The Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery Beverly Conyers This book is for the hidden victims of addiction--families. For families of addicts, feeling of fear, shame, confusion over a loved one's addiction can cause deep anxiety, sleepless nights, and even physical illness. And the emotional distress family members suffer is often compounded by the belief that they somehow caused or contributed to their loved one's addiction--or that they could have done something to prevent it. As the heart-wrenching personal stories in this book reveal, family members do not cause their loved one's addiction. Nor can they control of cure addiction.
	Enough Already!: A Guide to Recovery from Alcohol And Drug Addiction Bob Tyler Enough Already! is an easy read that educates alcoholics and addicts on precisely what to do to get and stay sober. After learning about the disease of alcoholism/addiction and time-tested tools of recovery, the reader is introduced to relapse prevention strategies, the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 Step programs, and coping skills to deal with uncomfortable emotions that often lead to drug and alcohol use. This is followed by specific instructions on how to get started in recovery and a final inspiring chapter entitled "The Miracle."
	Reclaim Your Family From Addiction How Couples and Families Recover Love and Meaning Craig Nakken What happens to the "we" of a family when one member opts for the blind and single-minded "me" of addiction? In an instructive, reassuring way, Craig Nakken explains just how families and couples who have spent years building a life together can lose their cohesive identity and meaning in the wake of addiction. The perfect starting point in the healing process, this book also reminds us that recovery is possible--for individuals, couples, and whole families--if only we know what to do.

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NUTRITION, SUPPLEMENTS, HERBS

	End Your Addiction Now: : The Proven Nutritional Supplement Program That Can Set You Free (amazon.com/End-Your-Addiction-Now-Nutritional/dp/0446527238) Charles Gant, M.D. and Greg Lewis, Ph.D. Dr. Gant presents his three-stage recovery program to reduce or eliminate addictions through  nutritional supplements that restore the proper balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.  The program can help to reduce or eliminate drug and alcohol cravings, detoxify with an over-the-counter remedy that helps cleanse the body, and correct secondary nutritional imbalances to ensure long-term results. Questionnaires help readers identify which appropriate supplements will help them regain control of their lives.
	Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition, and Mind-BodyTechniques to Help You Feel Good All the Time. (www.cassmd.com/Nat.Highs/Nat.High.1.html) Hyla Cass, MD and Patrick Holford The authors, a psychiatrist and nutritional expert, advocate using a balanced diet and natural supplements/herbs such as kava, ginseng, choline, and DMAE to improve ones vitality, focus and state of mind. These natural alternatives act as stress busters, energizers, and mood enhancers without the consequences of addiction to substances such as caffeine, sugar, nicotine, alcohol, or drugs. The positive effects, rare cautions, and recommended dosages associated with each item are detailed.  Other helpful mind/body lifestyle practices like meditation, massage, dance and aromatherapy are also described.
	Seven Weeks To Sobriety: The Proven Program to Fight Alcoholism Through Nutrition Joan Mathew Larson Ph.D. Focusing on alcoholism as a disease, Joan Mathews Larson and her colleagues at the Health Recovery Center in Minneapolis,Minnesota discovered a series of nutritional deficiencies in alcoholics.  The book presents their seven-week program to break alcohol addiction and end cravings.

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PERSONAL STORIES, BIOGRAPHY

	Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption William Cope Moyers, Katherine Ketcham William Cope Moyers has come a long, long way. In 1994, he lay on the floor of an Atlanta crack house. His father had put together a search party. His worried family waited at home where Moyers had left them when he embarked on yet another binge. From that lowly, drug-hazed night, Moyers went on to become an executive at the Hazelden Foundation and travels far and wide to talk about addiction and treatment. Broken tells the story of what happened between then and now from growing up the privileged son of Bill Moyers to his descent into alcoholism and drug addiction, his numerous stabs at getting clean, his many relapses, and how he managed to survive.
	I Am Your Disease (The Many Faces of Addiction) (www.iamyourdisease.com) Sheryl Letzgus Mcginnis and Heiko Ganzer This book chronicles the life of many people addicted to various substances who died despite their best efforts and that of their families. The authors understand that addiction is an illness that can happen to anyone and sometimes its so malignant that all current treatment fails.This book is a solace to parents who have lost a child to addiction but also potentially very helpful to parents whose children are living addicts and tempted to quit their efforts to help the child. It may also be helpful in boosting the resolve of addicts and diminishing their guilt about not being able to stop... so far.
	My Name Is Bill (www.susancheever.com) Susan Cheever In this thoroughly researched and groundbreaking biography of Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, Cheever creates a remarkably human portrait of a man whose life and work both influenced and saved the lives of millions of people. Drawn from personal letters and diaries, records in a variety of archives, and hundreds of interviews, this definitive biography is the first fully documented account of Bill Wilson's life story.
	Walking Like A Duck Patricia Thulin Holloran On June 28, 1996, Pat Holloran’s life changed suddenly and forever when Drug Control confronted her for the theft of narcotics from the hospital where she worked. Pat was working full time on the night shift and taking care of her three children, her husband, and her severely disabled father. Stadol, a narcotic ten times stronger than Morphine, was her drug of choice. She started taking it to help her sleep. She kept taking it because she could not stop. Walking Like a Duck reveals the agony of enduring a punitive disciplinary process to preserve her nursing license; how it impacted her sanity and her career, and how her secrets and lies traumatized her marriage of over twenty years.

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PSYCHOLOGY, PERSONALITY

	Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior (hazelden.org/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?a=b&item=3429) Craig Nakken Craig nakken presents the most recent information on how an individual becomes an addict-including cultural influences and genetic factors-as he examines addiction's causes, stages of development, and consequences.
	Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception (hazelden.org/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?a=b&item=1829) Abraham J. Twerski Using vivid examples and case studies, the author exposes the irrational and contradictory patterns of addictive thinking, and shows how to overcome them and the barriers they create; low self-esteem and relapse.
	Emotional Sobriety: From Relationship Trauma to Resilience and Balance Tian Dayton, PhD Written by a clinical psychologist, this book provides new perspectives on how to gain back emotional stability after growing up with the trauma of addiction, abuse, and dysfunction. Dr. Dayton explains the latest research in neuropsychology and the role trauma plays on chemically altering the brain. The book teaches you how to rewire your brain to undo the negative effects trauma has on all aspects of life. As noted by Joseph R. Cruse, MD, Founding Medical Director, Betty Ford Center, "We all need to learn how to live with greater maturity and balance. In this book, Tian Dayton shows us how."
	First Year Sobriety: When All That Changes Is Everything Guy Kettelhack The first in a series of three recovery guides for the first three years of sobriety, First-Year Sobriety uses the voices of many women and men who are struggling in the often baffling territory of their first year of sobriety to show that despite their differing experiences, all are united in the process of giving life without alcohol or other drugs a chance.

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SPIRITUAL APPROACHES

	The Tao of Sobriety (amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312242506) David Gregson and Jay S. Efran Written by two longtime therapists, this self-help book is designed to work with or without 12-step rograms.  After a brief explanation of Taoism (a Chinese philosophy and religion), the authors present the Tao, a Chinese term meaning "the way," as an ideal vehicle for attaining and maintaining freedom from substance addiction.  Containing anecdotes, exercises (meditations, questions to explore, affirmations) and real-life applications of Taoist precepts, this guide shows how to apply eastern philosophy to enhance recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
	The Wisdom of the Rooms (thewisdomoftherooms.com) Michael Z A collection of hundreds of sayings and quotes heard in 12-step meetings that impart practical wisdom on maintaining sobriety and developing your spiritual life. It acts as a guide on looking deeper and a daily support in the process.
	The Zen of Recovery (innerself.com/Meditation/What_Is_Zen_by_Mel_Ash.htm) Mel Ash Applying the principles of Zen to the Twelve Step philosophy of recovery, this book offers inspiration to achieve spiritual fulfillment and peace.  Drawing from his lifetime of experience as an abused child, alcoholic, Zen student, and dharma teacher, Ash gives readers a solid grounding in the Twelve Steps and the Eightfold Path and shows their useful similarities for those in recovery.

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TWELVE STEP

	Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_tableofcnt.cfm) Alcoholics Anonymous-the Big Book-has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. First published in 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.
	Na Text: Narcotics Anonymous (www.na.org/catalog/products.htm) First published in April 1983, this is NA’s primary text. Book One contains ten chapters explaining the NA Fellowship and their program of recovery.

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ONLINE AUDIO & VIDEO

Featured

HBO Addiction Films (hbo.com/addiction/thefilm/index.html?current=5)
You can view this feature-length documentary film, ADDICTION, online. It is the centerpiece of the HBO Addiction project. The film brings together the nation's leading addiction experts with award- winning filmmakers and consists of nine separate segments covering important aspects of addiction.

Mindful Solutions for Addiction and Relapse Prevention (drsgoldstein.com)
This audio CD is written by two licensed psychologists and mindfulness teachers who have combined the fields of mindfulness, psychology and addiction.  Their CD explores what mindfulness is and how it works with triggers, cravings and urges.  It provides 3 guided meditation practices to help people in recovery cope with addiction-related cravings.

Recovery Coast to Coast (recoverycoasttocoast.org)
This nightly addiction-related talk show is available nationally. Sponsored by the Alliance for Recovery, it runs from 10 p.m. to midnight, and is available via streaming audio. The show features in-studio interviews as well as listener call-ins and testimonials from people in recovery. "On-demand" and podcast versions of the show will be available in the near future.

Alphabetical

Euphoria (euphoria.cc)
This is an Internet radio stream with Narcotics Anonymous speakers and other recovery- related audio broadcasting 24 hours a day seven days a week. Streaming from ScreamingHost.com at 24k, you can listen to the spoken word of recovery from a dial-up modem.  The site also covers addiction recovery news, information, and chat.

Recovery Radio Network (recoveryradio.net/index2.html)
The Recovery Radio Network is a collection of Internet based radio stations providing recovery speakers, twelve-step workshops, and important insights from the medical profession in a streaming media format.  It provides the opportunity to stay in touch with your recovery from alcoholism and co-dependency through audio content pertaining to Twelve Step programs.

SOBRIETY TV (sobriety.tv)
Free online movies to support addiction recovery, covering the 12 steps, personal recovery stories, drug rehab, pain killer addiction, sobriety and more.

Take 12 Recovery Radio Shows (khlt.homestead.com/home.html)
This online radio show broadcasts six shows a week on the 12-step approach to recovery and relapse prevention. All shows are archived on the site.  Recovery talk and recovery music are featured.

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DVDs

Union Square: The "Scared Straight" of Heroin Addiction UNION SQUARE explores the world of seven homeless heroin addicts that live in Union Square Park in New York City. The individuals allowed the film-makers to follow and capture their trials and tribulations while living and hustling on the streets of New York City.

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E CARDS

123 Greetings (123greetings.com/encouragement_and_inspiration/kick_bad_habits/alcoholism_and_drugs/)
Free e-cards with inspiring messages that offer encouragement and support in giving up alcohol and drugs.

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Detoxification

Medical Detoxification is a process in which individuals are systematically and safely withdrawn from addicting drugs, usually under the care of a physician. Drinking alcohol or using drugs causes physical dependence over time in some people. Stopping the use of alcohol or drugs results in physical withdrawal from these substances in people with a physical dependence. The detoxification process is designed both to treat the acute physiological effects of stopping drug use and to remove residual toxins in the body left as a result of using the chemicals found in drugs and/or alcohol.

Detoxification prepares people to fully participate in an ongoing addiction recovery program. It is one component of a comprehensive treatment strategy.

DETOXIFICATION FACILITIES

Detoxification can be done on both an outpatient basis (mental health centers, addiction clinics or private clinics) or inpatient (hospital or residential treatment center). Inpatient detoxification allows the patient to be closely monitored, avoids exposure to the substance of abuse, and can speed up the process of detoxification. Outpatient detoxification has the advantage of being less disruptive to the patient's life and less expensive. The choice of setting depends on many factors such as the drug of abuse, amount and length of history of abuse, psychosocial issues, patient's age, and co-existing medical and/or psychiatric conditions among others.

While treatment centers often have their own detoxification facilities, others make arrangements for their patients with detoxification programs at nearby sites, including hospitals and clinics. There are licensed detoxification facilities in most areas of the United States .

Detoxification programs can be found by using the government's SAMHSA online treatment locator (findtreatment.samhsa.gov/facilitylocatordoc.htm). Click on detailed search in the left hand menu, fill in the city and state, and then check detoxification and the type of care desired (Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/Day treatment, Non-hospital residential or Hospital inpatient). Links to rapid detox programs can also be found at Recovery Resources Online.

ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION

Many patients experience mild to moderate symptoms during withdrawal and can undergo detoxification without medications if they receive supportive care and monitoring. Inpatient medical detoxification services are appropriate for alcoholics at risk for serious complications of withdrawal or those with co-existing medical conditions. These patients and those with previous alcohol withdrawal seizures, delirium tremens, or moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms should receive benzodiazepines to reduce the risk of adverse events. Other medications have also been used in the detoxification process including clonidine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, and carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures or delerium.

More recently, outpatient detoxification has been shown to be as effective as inpatient treatment and less costly for people with less severe alcoholism. This requires daily follow-up and monitoring.

Outpatient detoxification is commonly performed by using a tranquilizer such as chlordiazepoxide 50 mg, oxazepam 15 to 30 mg, diazepam 10 mg, or lorazepam 2 mg every 6 hours for the first 24 hours. Additional medication can be provided as medically necessary and doses can be decreased as symptoms resolve. Supportive care for patients undergoing detoxification includes providing treatment for nutritional and electrolyte deficiencies, monitoring withdrawal severity and abstinence, and providing referrals to alcoholism recovery programs and self-help meetings.

COCAINE DETOXIFICATION

While at the present time, no proven pharmacologic therapy for cocaine addiction exists, several kinds of pharmaceutical drugs have been used in the detoxification of cocaine. Withdrawal from chronic cocaine use produces anxiety, depression and intense cravings for the drug. Several types of pharmaceuticals address these issues in different ways.

Antidepressant drugs such as desipramine or a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine have been used to reduce cocaine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Benzodiazepines, tranquilizers such as Diazepam, have been used to reverse anxiety induced by cocaine withdrawal. Amantadine, an antidyskinetic used in Parkinson's Disease, may be an effective treatment for cocaine-dependent patients with severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms and may reduce cocaine craving. Bromocriptine, a drug that works on the brain's dopamine system, has been used to decrease the craving for cocaine during detoxification and to reduce mood disturbance.

Propanolol, a beta-blocker antihypertensive drug, may be useful for severe cocaine withdrawal symptoms, as it inhibits the effects of adrenaline, thereby calming the body's "fight or flight" response to stressful situations. Beta-blockers have been used clinically to treat general anxiety and anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. Propranolol's lesening of symptoms such as palpitations and sweating has helped to reduce cocaine craving associated with such symptoms . The use of beta-blockers in patients who have ingested cocaine, however, is not risk-free and can be associated with decreased coronary blood flow and increased coronary vascular resistance, predisposing patients to arrhythmias and triggering a hypertensive crisis. Delayed toxic effects are possible. Any use of beta-blockers in this setting requires careful monitoring and caution.

OPIATE DETOXIFICATION

Rapid Detoxification: In this procedure drug withdrawal occurs while patients are asleep under general anesthesia. The patient is given intravenous injections of medications called opiate blockers which stop the action of narcotics and opiate drugs as well as injections of other medications that reduce the symptoms of withdrawal such as muscle relaxants or anti-nausea medications. This process results in rapid withdrawal from the physical effects of addiction. Through the use of opiate blockers such as naltrexone, naloxone, and nalmephine, physical detoxification is achieved within 4 to 8 hours. Rapid detox takes place in an intensive care unit of a hospital. Patients are usually discharged within 48 hours following recovery from anesthesia and assessment of their physical status.

Rapid detoxification helps reduce the distress of opiate withdrawal for people who are chemically dependent on narcotics such as heroin, Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol, Dilaudid, Darvocet, OxyContin, opium, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, prescription painkillers, and all narcotic type drugs. It shortens the detoxification period and spares patients the pain and physical discomforts of withdrawal. It may be of great benefit to patients who suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms and who have failed repeatedly to complete conventional withdrawal programs . However, there are significant costs as well as risks associated with the use of general anesthesia. It is imperative that the procedure be performed by medical professionals who are highly trained in these procedures in a medical setting that is fully equipped to deal with any complications that may arise.

Stepped Rapid Detoxification: This alternative to rapid detoxification provides small doses of Narcan (Naloxone) subcutaneously and naltrexone orally every hour or so, together with reduced withdrawal management medications , mostly orally, as necessary. This approach using the slower oral and subcutaneous routes rid the body of the opiate more slowly than intravenous Rapid Detoxification . In addition the pacing can be controlled and responsive to any withdrawal symptoms that develop in the patient by having them quickly suck on Buprenorphine tablets under the tongue. There is less need for withdrawal management medications. The patient is alert and directly communicating with medical staff until the situation has been resolved. It is possible to be detoxified and stabilized on Naltrexone Maintenance Therapy with 2 to 4 small manageable bites. If someone tries to use any kind of opiate while they are on Naltrexone, they feel no effect because all of the receptors are completely blocked.

Ultra Rapid Detoxification: This procedure involves putting patients under general anesthesia and giving them a drug called Naltrexone which blocks all of their endorphin receptors. This accelerates the withdrawal process, pushing them into 100% detoxification within a 5-30 minute period. Although this is an extremely painful process it is tolerable under anesthesia. As with rapid detoxification, it is very costly and has significant medical risk.

Outpatient Detoxification
Outpatient medical detoxification is usually safe and effective for people who are more likely to have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. For instance, primary care-based opiate detoxification can be accomplished with a variety of medications such as buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP/NX) or clonidine alone or combined with naltrexone. Buprenex, newly approved by the FDA, can now be administered on an outpatient basis by physicians who receive a required eight-hour training. Using Buprenex, the detoxification can take between 7-14 days.

Methadone: The most common method of opiate detoxification is to use Methadone in an approved clinic and slowly taper the patient down from the usual dose to zero over a period of approximately 21 days. This process still entails an uncomfortable withdrawal period and patients often use drugs during the withdrawal period.

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Evaluate Yourself

Self evaluation is a good starting point for those who are uncertain about their treatment needs.

Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Services (alcohol-drug-treatment.net)
Run by an experienced addiction counselor, this web site is designed to help people identify addiction problems and direct them to substance abuse programs. Visitors may complete an online evaluation form to receive two to three treatment referrals within 24 hours.The web site also provides information on addiction, on specific drugs, and on the variety of available treatment approaches.

Alcohol Screening.org (alcoholscreening.org)
This web site provides a brief, confidential alcohol use questionnaire to help people assess their drinking patterns. It also provides information on alcohol use and health issues and resource locators for treatment centers and support groups.

Drinkers Check Up (drinkerscheckup.com)
Developed under a federal grant from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this web site helps people develop a better understanding of their drinking through an online assessment. Through feedback, a person is given help with deciding whether to change their drinking behavior and the ways in which they can do that.

Phelps-Nourse Addictiveness Test (lapage.com/arr/phelps.htm)
This confidential online questionnaire was developed by two MD's and is based on their theory of the biochemical basis of addiction.  It includes five parts (diet, family history, depression, alcohol use, and drug use) that represent risk factors for addictiveness. After each section, click Done at the bottom of the page to move on to the next section of the questionnaire.

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Finding Treatment

TREATMENT COORDINATION

Addiction Action (addictionaction.com)
This free assessment and referral service provides advice on available treatment options for addiction. The service is focused on the UK's premier private sector treatment facilities and counseling services. In addition they offer therapy counseling, employee assistance and access to spiritual retreats.

Recovery Connection (recoveryconnection.org)
Recovery Connection is a private referral network assisting people who need treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. They provide a toll free number (1-800-993-3869) that offers 24-hour assistance seven days a week for referrals to addiction treatment and rehab resources. For those
without private insurance they offer contacts to state resources and will search government treatment locators such as SAMHSA to provide an appropriate referral. Their web site also contains a good deal of information on the various substance addictions, the detoxification process and addiction treatment.

Treatment Coordination and Advocacy (treatmentcoordination.net)
This specialized referral and placement service helps individuals find the most appropriate treatment providers for their individual needs. Services include assessments, national referrals, treatment recommendations, clinical case management and more. Rates vary between $75.00 and $125.00 per hour.

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ONLINE TREATMENT LOCATORS

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (findtreatment.samhsa.gov)
The Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator is a database of drug and alcohol treatment programs in the U.S.  The Locator includes more than 11,000 addiction treatment programs, including residential treatment centers, outpatient treatment programs, and hospital inpatient programs for drug addiction and alcoholism.  Organized by state, the database can then be searched by city or zip code.  Under the “List Search” option, facilities can also be found in a specific city, a specific county, in one or more zip codes, in one or more States, in the entire United States, or by facility name.

Recovery Resources Online (www.soberrecovery.com)
Sober Recovery provides access to a wide range of treatment approaches and recovery assistance.  There are links to inpatient and outpatient rehab and treatment centers, rapid detoxification centers, 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous, and online recovery support meetings which provide direct, 24/hour a day support.  The web site also provides a link to the federal online treatment locator, SAMSHA.

Methadone Locator:

Addiction Treatment Forum (atforum.com)
This web site focuses on the use of methadone in treating opioid addiction.   It features a Methadone Clinical Locator by state.  Facility name, address, phone and fax are provided.  It also includes reports on substance abuse and addiction research, regularly updated news reports, frequently asked questions, resources and links to related web sites.

Addiction Resource Guide (addictionresourceguide.com)
This online listing of licensed in-patient treatment facilities is organized by facility name, state, type of program (psychiatric, long term residential, etc) and special populations (age, gender, etc). It provides a good level of information on each facility and is updated regularly.

Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction Services (www.alcohol-drug-treatment.net)
Run by an experienced addiction counselor, this web site is designed to help people identify addiction problems and direct them to substance abuse programs.  Through an online evaluation form, these factors are used in making a determination of treatment and placement.  An answer will be returned within 24 hours with two-three referrals offered.  Referrals are based on a variety of individual factors such as geographic location, financial ability, past history with recovery programs, and more. The web site also provides information on addiction, on specific drugs, and on the variety of treatment approaches that are available.

Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) (www.dart.on.ca)
DART specializes in the provision of information and referral to treatment services related to alcohol and drugs in Ontario, Canada. It operates a toll-free, province-wide telephone service: the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment Information Line (1-800-565-8603), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also has an online treatment locator, a searchable database of drug and/or alcohol treatment programs offered by organizations in Ontario, Canada.

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General Drug Abuse Info

It is helpful to have as much information as possible when trying to understand a substance addiction and to find ways to break that addiction. The following web sites provide specific information on the most common drugs of abuse including their risks, health effects, treatment approaches, and prevention.

Featured

Moyers on Addiction (wnet.org/closetohome/home.html)
This web site is based on the TV series produced by Bill Moyers (Moyers on Addiction: Close to Home). If you click on Science in the left hand menu, a selection of animated Flash presentations are available that illustrate in an easy to understand way how drugs work in the body and in the brain, including alcohol, cocaine, stimulants, opiates, nicotine and marijuana. The web site also has a Help and Resource section, a Discussion Forum, treatment information and more.

National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nida.nih.gov/DrugPages)
This section of the NIDA web site provides information on specific common drugs of abuse including health effects, treatment, prevention, ongoing research and more.   If you click on any of the listed drug categories you will find NIDA Research Reports, Infofacts, Therapy Manuals, articles from NIDA Notes, Research Monographs and other sources of information for each drug of abuse.
 
NIDA is part of the National Institutes of Health, charged with the scientific study of addiction.  Their web site offers a wide range of information geared to specific groups: Students and Young Adults, Parents and Teachers, and Researchers and Health Professionals.

Alphabetical

Addiction Search (addictionsearch.com)
This web site provides links to high quality articles and other web sites on various aspects of addiction. To learn more about drugs of abuse, click on Addictions in the left-hand menu and then click on Substances. Links include information on alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, club drugs, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, prescription drugs, steroids and caffeine. Information is also available on treatment approaches, finding treatment, and prevention.

Crackreality (crackreality.com)
This web site provides information on crack addiction and is geared to families, significant others and friends of crack cocaine addicts. It contains a Discussion Board for family and friends only, addresses basic questions on crack, comments on treatment centers for crack addiction, and posts stories submitted by readers via email on their experiences with crack addicts.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - the Science of Addiction (drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/)
This new report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse is available in its entirety online.  The report explains how drug addiction is a brain disease and covers strategies for prevention, treatment and recovery.

Freevibe.com (freevibe.com)
This web site provides a variety of information on drug and their risks.
The section on Drug Facts provides scientific information about illegal drugs and their effects including crack/cocaine, inhalants, ecstasy, marijuana and more in text and Flash format. The site also has a "Share your Story" message board, a multimedia presentation on 16 drugs including what they are, what they do and body facts, an "In the News" section, good links, and much more.

Learn-About-Alcoholism.com (learn-about-alcoholism.com)
Educational resource covering all aspects of alcoholism including signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and where to go for help.

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (www.inhalants.org)
This educational web site provides general information on inhalants including signs, risks, long term effects and how to get help.  If you email or call them at 1-800-269-4237 they will provide information on treatment centers that treat inhalant use.

Project GHB (projectghb.org)
This educational web site was formed to increased awareness about the dangers of Gamma hydroxy butyrate, known on the street as GHB, "G", Liquid E, Fantasy, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy, Organic Quaalude, and Jib among other names. The site covers important facts about GHB including its effects, signs of overdose, and adverse reactions It also provides information on treatment, a section for reporting serious events, a newsletter, resource links, legal issues and more.

Quit Wizard (trytostop.org/QuitWizardV2)
Offers tools for personalized planning and tracking your progress.

My Addiction (myaddiction.com)
MyAddiction.com is an online educational and informational website on addiction and recovery. It provides information on a variety of addictions including nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, prescription drugs, sex, gambling and eating disorders and describes different treatment approaches. It also offers a locator by state for treatment options such as detoxification, residential, continuing care and support groups.

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International Locators

12 Step Treatment Centres.com (www.12steptreatmentcentres.com)
Based in the UK, this 12-step treatment center guide provides a unique section on International Treatment Centers.  It provides basic information on each center as well as web site and contact information.

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Intervention Services

Featured

Addiction Recovery Professionals, Inc. (ARP) (addictionrecoveryprofessionals.com)
ARP is a professional network of alcohol and drug specialists focusing on assessments, interventions, treatment center selection and management and post-treatment recovery. Their expertise is in helping families through the recovery process, beginning with the intervention and continuing through post-treatment planning.

Inter-care ( www.inter-care.com/intervention.html)
Inter-Care's approach to intervention is one that fully involves the whole family in the intervention process. All participating family members focus on both individual issues and shared concerns. Unlike earlier intervention models, there is no secrecy or surprise. Everyone is fully involved from the start and everyone receives help in the process.   Inter-Care conducts interventions in all fifty states and all six continents.  Their  professionally-trained staff of clinicians works within all cultures, including those where English may not be the primary language spoken.

Alphabetical

Carefrontations (www.carefrontations.com)
The intervention methods utilized by Care Confrontations are based on the positive expression of love and concern spoken in a compelling and truthful manner. The purpose is to present reality to a person who is out of touch with it. The intervention team provides instruction on how to begin the intervention planning process including who should participate, treatment options, and when and where the preparation and intervention will occur. The group is prepared through letter writing and role playing. The intervention team of licensed and registered =hemical dependency specialists provides interventions all over the country and abroad. They facilitate interventions for the Betty Ford center, Sierra Tucson, Hazelden, and other treatment facilities in the U.S. and Canada.

Drug and Alcohol Interventions (www.druginterventions.net)
This site provides information and guidelines for performing an effective addiction intervention, including the intervention process, its goals and how it is conducted. It also offers a live chat option and a free telephone consultation. Interventions are conducted by a certified addiction practitioner and are available nationwide.

Family Interventions, Intervention Training (innervention.com)
Jeff VanVonderen is an intervention specialist offering family and coprorate interventions.
He has worked as a counselor in both residential inpatient and out patient treatment settings, as well as in the religious community. He has been an Extended Adjunct Instructor at Bethel College in St. Paul, MN. and a Community Faculty Member for the University of Minnesota's Program for Individualized Learning. For over 15 years he was part of the Senior Leadership Staff at Church of the Open Door in Minneapolis, in the area of Recovery.

Intervention 911 (intervention911.com)
Headed by a certified alcohol and drug intervention specialist, Intervention 911 provides family and executive interventions. During this process, family members, friends, or employers learn how to deal with the addict who is in denial. The counselor and the significant others help the dependent person see their addiction and its consequences in order to move them to a point of beginning addiction treatment.

Love First (lovefirst.net)
Love First offers a full team of professional interventionists that work with families, adolescents, older adults and executives to provide intervention services for alcoholism and drug addiction. Services include selecting an appropriate treatment center, matching treatment options to family finances, making travel arrangements, facilitating the intervention, escorting the patient to treatment and post-treatment support. Information on the web site is based on the Hazelden Guidebook, Love First: A New Approach to Intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. It includes intervention resources, including extensive articles and links.

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Mental Health Practitioners

There are many psychological illnesses such as mood and anxiety disorders as well as psychological traumas such as physical and sexual abuse that often predispose a person to addiction. Optimal treatment for these persons includes psychiatric treatment and/or psychotherapy.

ADDICTION COUNSELORS
National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (naadac.org/documents)
NAADAC is the professional membership organization and the nation's largest network of alcoholism and drug abuse treatment professionals.  Click on Certification in the left hand menu, and scroll down the page to Testing Information.  Click on State Certification Boards.  This will provide a state-by-state listing of Certification Boards for alcoholism and drug abuse counselors.  These Certification Boards will be able to make referrals to certified mental health practitioners in the U.S. 

PASTORAL COUNSELING
Some people may prefer to seek help for their addiction problems from their pastor, rabbi, priest or other spiritual leader, rather than from a mental health practitioner or addiction counselor. Pastoral counselors work within traditional faith communities using counseling, prayer and spirituality to help in the addiction recovery process.

In addition, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) accredits Pastoral Counseling Centers throughout the U.S. that provide counseling and psychotherapy services. To Find a Certified Pastoral Counselor, visit the AAPC web site at www.aapc.org/centers.cfm and select either Search online: the AAPC Clinical Registry or Locate a counselor with the AAPC Online Membership Directory.

PSYCHIATRISTS
AMA Physician Select (ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm)
To locate a psychiatrist in your area that specializes in addiction or to check practice and biographical details on a psychiatrist to whom you have been referred, please be patient and follow these instructions.

From the home page click on "Search for a Physician". Click on "Accept", and you can then search by either "Physician Name" or "Medical Specialty". If you select "Medical Specialty", Look down the page and click on "search from an expanded list of medical practice specialties, select "Addiction Medicine" from the list, and then fill in state, city and/or zip code and click on the "Search" button at the bottom of the page. This should provide a list of addiction psychiatrists in your selected area.

PSYCHOLOGISTS
National Registers Online Searchable Database (nationalregister.com)
This online guide provides a searchable directory of psychologists with various specialties and specialty board certifications by geographic area. The database covers psychologists who are certified in substance addiction by The College of Professional Psychology of the American Psychological Association Practice Organization. While the database requires a paid subscription for professionals, they offer a limited number of queries free to the general public.

After registering by selecting a username and password, you can select to search either by geographic area or by practitioner name. For a geographic search, under Area of Expertise select Substance-Related Disorder, under Specialty Board Certification select CPP, then choose your geographic area by city, state or zip code.

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Message Boards/Chat Rooms

*If any of the terms are unclear, please follow the link to learn more about their meaning.

A message board is a place where you can post, respond to, or simply read messages posted by others. Typically, they are free to use, though some type of registration is usually required to access all features. Most message boards require a username (first name and initial, or fictional name), a password, and an email address.

Visitors can begin a new discussion by starting a "thread" on the board to which others can reply. These messages will often remain posted for an indefinite period time, so a thread begun today can help support others who visit the board months or even years from now.

Featured

Trouble Blog (troubleblog.com)
A useful blog covering a variety of issues related to drug and alcohol use and recovery.

Alphabetical

12-STEP MESSAGE BOARDS

SoberRecovery (soberrecovery.com/forums)
The message board in this directory of recovery resources has various categories: Newcomers, Ask the Experts, General Forums, Alcoholism (AA, Alanon, ACOA), Drug Addiction (NA, Nar-Anon), Family and Friends, Mental Health and more.

GENERAL MESSAGE BOARDS

SUBSTANCE-SPECIFIC MESSAGE BOARDS

Buprenorphine (Suboxone)
Heroin-Detox.com (heroin-detox.com)
This series of recovery forums focuses on detoxing from opiates, acohol, cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines.

National Alliance of Advocates for Buprenorphine Treatment (naabt.org)
The web site of this non-profit organization includes ways of locating physicians who offer treatment with buprenoprhine as well as informative educational material and an online
discussion board.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) (buprenorphine.samhsa.gov)
Provides detailed information on buprenorphine, which can be obtained from any physician who has taken a required 8-hour training (physicians certified as addiction specialists are exempt from the training requirements). A nationwide registry of physicians who are authorized to prescribe buprenorphine is available by clicking on Physician Locator in the left hand menu. Physicians can be searched by city, county, zip code or state or just click on the state you want on the map.

Codeine
Codeine Addiction Help Forum (mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/cahf/index.html)
This community aims to help those who have a Codeine Addiction or dependence. The online forum provides an opportunity to get advice and support from fellow sufferers who either have an active addiction or are in the recovery phase. The site offers a discussion forum, detox and treatment resource files, and links to support agencies and published reports.

Crack Cocaine
Crack Cocaine Recovery (crackrecoveryforum.com)
This excellent web site has a variety of high quality addiction resources including message boards and 24 hour chat rooms on crack cocaine addiction recovery issues. They also provide links to other recovery resources including a self-evaluation survey, a complete online version of the AA Big Book, and the NA Basic Text.

Methamphetamine
Meth Madness (pub28.ezboard.com/bmethmadness)
The web site hosts its own message board and chat room and also provides links to others that are related to methamphetamine recovery. In addition, it provides other helpful recovery links, personal writings, articles, book recommendations, and other resources to help people educate themselves about Crystal Meth.

Prescription Medications
Pills Anonymous (groups.msn.com/PillsAnonymous/messageboard.msnw)
This web site has a discussion board and chat room focused on 12-step recovery from prescription drug addiction. Chat rooms are now a subscription service.

Methadone
Addiction Treatment Watchdog (readybb.com/watchdog/index.php)
This educational web site is geared to the needs of patients on medications for opiate addiction. It has a Clinic Report database and submittal form for reporting on the quality of treatment at specific methadone clinics, a section on clinic complaints, a resource section which includes Methadone Advocacy Organizations, a Methadone Watchdog section which answers questions on methadone maintenance, a chat room and two message boards (one for those in recovery and one for friends and families seeking information on opiate addiction).

To join a chat room, users will typically select from a variety of rooms and are often required to register prior to logging on. To “chat”, users type and submit messages that are immediately sent to the chat room for others to view and reply to. Thus real-time chat meetings feel more like face-to-face meetings than communicating via message board, though some message boards integrate real-time messaging features as well.

Chat meetings are essentially chat rooms than include a chairperson who introduces topics that others in the room take turns providing feedback on. At some meetings, an opening and closing statement is also included.

The latest development in online meetings is "voice chat", where participants can actually hear each other discuss the meeting topics. With the use of a microphone and speakers, participants can talk and listen in real-tom to others in the room. Users who do not have microphones can participate in the standard chat room fashion by typing their messages in directly.

Alphabetical

HAMS Harm Reduction Network (hamsnetwork.org)
HAMS is a free of charge peer led support group for people who want to reduce the harm in their lives caused by alcohol or other substances. HAMS offers support via a chat room, an email group, a forum and live meetings. HAMS supports every goal from safer use to reduced use to abstinence from alcohol.

Marijuana Anonymous Online (ma-online.org/chat.html)
This site hosts both chat rooms and online meetings for those recovering from marijuana addiction.  Click on Online Meeting Schedule in the left menu bar for a list of ongoing online MA meetings.  Click on MA Chatspace in the left menu bar for insructions on how to enter a chat room (specific instructions are provided for those using AOL).

My Sober Life (mysoberlife.com)
This online support web site for those in recovery offers online chat support, daily journals, individual blogs, email notification of posts/comments, community discussion board and private messaging.

NA Chatroom (nachatroom.org)
Based on the 12 step traditions of Narcotics Anonymous, this site offers online meetings seven days a week, open chats, forums and member stories.

RecoveryBoard.com (recoveryboard.com)
They have two different chat rooms. One is a Java applet based chat (you should have at minimum a computer with a Java- enabled browser). You can download Chat Space Java Client from the web site. The second uses web TV or other ways to access the web and connects you to Talk City.

Recovery Chat (RecoveryChat.com)
Provides online recovery chat room services for those affected by any form of addiction. Multiple meeting rooms with scheduled meetings as well as user photos and a bulletin board are offered. The site uses a Java-based chat software called Digichat.

Recovery Chat Room (recoverychatroom.com)
Real time moderated chat on the 12-steps and 12- traditions.

Sober24 (sober24.com/Chat/85/)
The SoberChat chat rooms are open 24 hours a day/7 days a week. They offer virtual meetings on a regular basis. SoberChat categories include an Emergency room, Recovery room, Family room, 12-step Recovery Meeting Room, Family Recovery Meetings, and Sponsor Rooms. Registration is required and is free for the first 24 days. After that there is a yearly membership fee of $32.00.

Earth Group of NA (earthgroupna.org)
Earth Group of NA is an internet-based group of recovering addicts who meet twice a week via email for support.   The site also has a message board, a chat room with 25 real-time online meetings a week, and online articles posted on a variety of recovery topics.

LifeRing Secular Recovery (unhooked.com/meetings/index.htm)
Regularly scheduled online meetings are held 24 hours a day/7 days a week. There is no registration required and participation is free. A current Java-enabled browser is required such as Netscape 4.07 or Internet Explorer 4.0 or above. jIRC applet is available for download.

There are several different types of formal meetings conducted by recovering addicts on the Internet. This guide lists the following types of meetings: NA Email Meetings (members share by email and receive a comprehensive email each week with the correspondence details), NA Web Based Meetings (the communications are posted on a web page), NA Chat Meetings (real time group discussions with formal chat meetings), NA List Servers (unmoderated forum that posts all communications to subscribers via email), Links to Nar-Anon Family Groups (12-step support for the loved one's of addicts), Links to General Chat Program Downloads (mIRC, ICQ, AOL IM, and Powwow).

Marijuana Anonymous Online (ma-online.org/schedule.html)
This site hosts both chat rooms and online meetings for those recovering from marijuana addiction.  Click on Online Meeting Schedule in the left menu bar for a list of ongoing online MA meetings.  Click on MA Chatspace in the left menu bar for insructions on how to enter a chat room (specific instructions are provided for those using AOL).

Smart Recovery (smartrecovery.org/onlinemeetings.htm)
Provides regularly scheduled online recovery meetings (1 ½ hrs) based on the Smart Recovery approach to abstaining from addictive behavior. A meeting for new members is scheduled each Sunday at 3:00 PM ET. Each Meeting has a Moderator who is in charge of the tone and continuity of the meeting and may also have a Professional Advisor, Coordinator, or Facilitator to assist with the SMART approach.

SMART Online utilizes two different formats. Text Chat at ParaChat uses a format called Java Chat that allows you to talk with typed messages in real time to other Internet users around the world. ParaChat is organized in channels on a specific topic. You can also talk privately with someone.

Smart Recovery Voice/Text Meetings in LivVe provides interactive voice and text capabilities. Live downloads are available at smartrecovery.org/livve.htm.

Featured

Alphabetical

A Sober Mind (asobermind.blogspot.com)
In her blog Dr. Rita Barsky, an addiction counselor for over 20 years, writes about recovery, sobriety, abstinence, and how to handle all the feelings that arise as you let go of addictions. This helpful resource is updated at least once a week.

Frumstepper: the Jewish and Israeli Blog Network (frumstepper.blogspot.com) 
Frumstepper: A daily blog reflecting a Jewish 12 step approach to recovery

Improve Our Conscious Contact (improveourconsciouscontact.blogspot.com)
This blog includes writings and discussions about Step Eleven from varied religious backgrounds.

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Nicotine Treatment

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Smoking is not only a physical addiction, but also becomes linked with many social activities and coping needs, making it a difficult habit to break.

When someone addicted to nicotine stops smoking they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as increased anger, hostility, and anxiety. Nicotine replacement therapies combined with behavior change programs providing psychological support and skills training result in the highest long-term abstinence rates. Generally, rates of relapse for smoking cessation are highest in the first few weeks and months and lessen considerably after about three months.

MEDICATIONS

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS provide nicotine without smoking. This helps to lessen the body's craving for nicotine and to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Replacement products come in several forms: gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler and lozenge. Nicotine gum, patch and lozenges can be bought over-the-counter. The nasal spray and inhaler (brand name Nicotrol) require a doctor's prescription.

BUPROPION (brand names Zyban or Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant drug that can be used to help some people stop smoking. It is taken as a pill and requires a doctor's prescription. Although it does not contain nicotine, it can help people resist the urge to smoke. Bupropion is often used for 7-12 weeks, beginning 1 or 2 weeks before smoking is stopped. It can be used for smoking cessation maintenance for up to six months. Side effects may include insomnia and dry mouth.

VARENICLINE (Chantrix) - is the first treatment that specifically targets the neurobiological mechanism of nicotine dependence. Studies show that the drug successfully stimulates dopamine (the brain's pleasure chemical) and blocks nicotine receptors. This reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings, helping to prevent a full relapse. The drug also blocks the effects of nicotine if you begin to smoke again.

Chantix is a prescription medication sold in tablet form. It is generally prescribed for 12 weeks. If you quit smoking during that time, your doctor may prescribe Chantix for another 12 weeks to enhance long-term success. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, gas, headache and insomnia.

Researchers found Chantix to be more effective than a placebo in helping people quit smoking. In two studies, Chantix helped more people quit smoking than did bupropion (Zyban) ‹ the only other nicotine-free drug used as a quit-smoking aid.

Foulds J, Steinberg MB, Williams J, et al. "Developments in pharmacotherapy for tobacco dependence: past, present and future."

Please report your experiences with these medications on our nicotine forum.

RECOVERY RESOURCES

Featured

Quitnet (Quitnet.com)
Launched in 1995 by a smoking cessation counselor, this well-established online quit smoking community includes simple smoking cessation tips, an extensive online Quiting guide, message forums, chat rooms and Q-mail to share experiences, strategies and successess. It also provides listings of local counseling programs.

Local Quit Smoking Programs and Support Groups
Many local hospitals and clinics offer quit-smoking programs. You can also contact the American Lung Association (ALA) to find a "Freedom From Smoking" program in your area.

Alphabetical

Freedom from Smoking Online  (lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22542)
Click on "Quit Smoking" tab at top of page to find the American Lung Association's web-based smoking cessation support program.

Nicotine Anonymous (www.nicotine-anonymous.org/)
Nicotine Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship program based on the recovery program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Their web site has a meeting locator by state or country and online information in English and five other languages.

SmokeFree.gov (smokefree.gov)
This National Cancer Institute web site provides detailed step by step guidelines on how to quit smoking.   It also includes links to the smoking quit-line, to telephone support by state,  and to instant messaging via a live chat service with a National Cancer Institute information specialist during specified hours of operation.  The site also offers free online guides to quitting targeted to different populations.

The National Directory of Smoking Cessation Programs (quitnet.com/library/programs)
The National Directory of Smoking Cessation Programs maintains the largest database of local quit smoking programs in the U.S. Just enter your zip code or state to find the program nearest
you.

Try to Stop.org (trytostop.org)
Published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, this web site features the  Quit Wizard Steps to becoming a nonsmoker which includes a Savings Calculator and other personalized features in the My Home, My Quit Plan and My Quit Calendar sections.  The web site also has a bulletin board and success stories section.

WhyQuit (www.whyquit.org)
WhyQuit combines three online approaches to smoking cessation: motivation not to start smoking and to quit smoking, education on risks, benefits and strategies, and support groups and online forums. The site was developed by a health educator and nicotine dependency counselor.

TREATMENT CENTERS

HAZELDEN FOUNDATION
The Next Step* Smoking Cessation Retreat
Dan Anderson Renewal Center

MANDALA WELLNESS RETREAT & SPA
A small retreat center run by a licensed clinical social
worker offering a 4-day and 7-day Quit Smoking Program.

MAYO CLINIC NICOTINE DEPENDENCE CENTER
8-day stop smoking program

ST. HELENA CENTER FOR HEALTH

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Online Treatment

Featured

AlcoholDrugSOS Services Addictions Counseling Online (alcoholdrugsos.com)
This site offers online answers to questions about drug and alcohol addiction for a fee based on the complexity of the question and online addiction counseling. All information and services are provided by a licensed addictions counselor with 27 years of experience, who is also in recovery himself.

J.M. Lees Therapeutic Services (www.topekatherapy.com/virtual-coaching/e-coaching)
This web site developed by a certified addiction counselor offers online services incorporating email and instant messaging. E-Counseling is a way to engage in therapy or counseling from a distance. It is an easily accessible, cost effective, and time efficient way to access an addiction counselor for feedback and support.

ONLINE COUNSELING

AndemTherapy.com (andemtherapy.com)
Margaret Andem, LCSW provides psychotherapy and counseling on addictions and other issues via the Internet, phone and in-person.   Fees for live online chat or a telephone session are $1.50 a minute, for detailed email responses $40.00.  Reduced fees are available on a case by case basis.

Bright Eye Counselling (brighteyecounselling.co.uk)
This is an online counselling and psychology service for people having problems with drugs or alcohol, including those concerned about bingeing and those considering rehab. Rather than a 12-step approach, it uses a cognitive behavioral approach to help people develop their own solutions. There is a choice of individual or group work with email options available. These sessions are supported by extensive downloadable resources which you can work on in your own time. Meetings are held in a private online chatroom once a week or more.

Choose 2 Change (choose2change.com)
This online (internet-based) substance abuse counseling program includes individualized professional counseling services provided by licensed counselors and supervised interns. The program provides a private and affordable online social/educational program for the recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Treatment plans are tailored for each participant and are based on a thorough assessment of each person’s specific needs and goals. Progress is assessed regularly by the counselor as part of the long-term commitment to the recovery program. In addition to individualized sessions with a counselor, integrated online group sessions are available to support the social and interpersonal communication needs of participants. Individualized counseling sessions are $55 an hour. Online lessons with feedback from a counselor are $45 a session and group sessions are $10 an hour.

Drug & Alcohol Info Online (drugalcoholinfo.co.uk)
Online recovery support provided by an accredited drug and alcohol professional. The first contact is free, followed by a one on one four e-mail support and mentoring program at a low cost.   Also offered is a live chat service for instant responses via MSN messenger (40 minute sessions).

J BradleyBell.com (jbradleybell.com)
This site provides free online recovery coaching services by a licensed Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor. You can submit a detailed question via email and responses will be made as soon as possible. Instant messenger coaching is also available in which individual and group sessions are done in real-time using Yahoo Messenger (which can be downloaded from the Yahoo website).

Online Addiction Therapy (onlineaddictiontherapy.com)
An experienced and licensed addiction counselor provides educational and therapeutic online services for most addictions via Instant Messaging, phone sessions and email contact.  One 60 minute instant messaging session is $55.00.  One email session is $35.00.  One 60 minute phone session is $55.00.   Additional services are described on the web site.

ONLINE PROGRAMS

All Positive Options (allpositiveoptions.com)
Offers tutorials on a variety of addiction and recovery issues. Weekly email programs are available for $75.00 for 12 weeks to help with issues that arise in recovery such as Finding Balance, Relationships in Recovery, Developing Healthy Self Esteem, and more.

EGetGoing (egetgoing.com)
EgetGoing provides high quality online chemical dependency treatment using advanced telemedicine and eLearning technologies. It provides online, real-time interactive audio- and video-based substance abuse treatment and is the only provider of online chemical dependency treatment to receive accreditation from the two leading accrediting groups for behavioral health providers. In an interactive setting, group members talk to each other under the guidance of an experienced counselor who uses a treatment approach that is based on the 12-Step philosophy.

Two programs are available: Lifeline (Internet-based outpatient treatment) and Living (an Internet-based continuing care program). Groups meet twice a week at regularly scheduled times for one hour. Each treatment and continuing care session follows a format designed to address a particular topic area. Sessions present information on relapse prevention, the medical aspects of addiction, anger management and other topics. Eighty percent of group time is spent in discussion, supported by interactive multimedia tools such as video dramatizations, interactive slides, private chat and more.

Developed for people who are new to recovery or who are returning after a relapse, Primary Treatment has 24 sessions over 12 weeks and Basic Group has 12 sessions over 6 weeks. Aftercare treatment includes an Intensive Aftercare Program that meets twice a week for 12 weeks and Basic Aftercare that meets once a week for 12 weeks. Each group member is provided with a secure and private Personal Home Page that affords access to such tools as personal e-mail, personal journal, homework assignments, and more.

Enterhealth (enterhealthonline.com/eLearning)
Enterhealth's e-Learning courses cover different phases of recovery. The programs are compatible with 12-step group or private therapy.

Advanced Recovery - $19.95 per month (3 month commitment required)
Covers the coping skills necessary for long term sobriety.

Life Care - $19.95 per month (3 month commitment required)
Ongoing post-rehabilitation support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Self-help works.com (selfhelpworks.com)
These cognitive-based learning programs explore the causes of problem behaviors and provide training on how to change them. The programs are delivered via the Internet as a series of lectures and interactive assignments. Each course lasts from three to five weeks. During the first week participants visit the site almost daily. Thereafter, visits are twice per week. Most sessions require completing an assignment and reading additional site materials. Each session takes approximately an hour. A schedule is provided and emails are sent to remind participants of their next scheduled session. A high speed internet connection is not necessary, as the program delivers content without pause or delay even using a 28k modem. The cost of the course is $39.95 for 3 months. The course lasts for 3 weeks, but the three months gives the user time to take it again and to access other web site features for the full three months.

TeenGetGoing (teengetgoing.com)
This online substance abuse treatment program geared to the needs of adolescents was developed by the same clinical team that developed EgetGoing. In addition to educational information on alcohol and drugs, teens can join online treatment groups. Two programs are available. The Adolescent Group Treatment Program has 24 live group sessions online facilitated by an experienced counselor. These scheduled groups have 8 - 10 members and meet online twice a week to provide a full treatment program. The Awareness Program is a 12-session assessment and prevention program that teens can take on their own and does not have a live counselor or live group interactions.

INTERACTIVE WEBSITES

Alcohol Help Center (www.alcoholhelpcenter.net)
The Alcohol Help Center is an interactive web site dedicated to helping those who have concerns about their drinking. The goal is to promote interaction between people who have drinking problems and health professionals. The site offers free tools such as a test for people to check their drinking, an interactive and personalized collection of exercises designed to help you make important decisions about your health, an online moderated support group and instant messaging between program participants around the world.

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Outdoor Therapy

Outdoor Therapy involves the use of challenges found in nature (such as rock climbing, white water activities, and backpacking) to provide growth experiences that can help people make fundamental changes in their lives. These programs have been used for many years as an adjunct to addiction treatment (the first program was Colorado Outward Bound’s Alcohol and Drug Courses in 1978). Therapeutic benefits of these programs include establishing a deeper connection with the natural world, nurturing the ability to trust one’s community through the experience of teamwork, developing a healthier relationship with the issues of control, taking responsibility for one’s actions and how those actions impact others, and increasing feelings of self-esteem, joy and pleasure. The goal of these programs is to provide people with opportunities and skills to deal with difficult situations so that they can draw upon these experiences in the recovery process.

Featured

Outward Bound (outwardbound.org)
Outward Bound has been offering a variety of challenging wilderness programs for over forty years. While it does not provide a structured therapeutic recovery program, the emphasis on skills development and personal growth in areas such as self-reliance, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, confidence, and self-knowledge can have a positive impact on long term recovery.

Alphabetical

ADULT PROGRAMS

HealingQuest LLP (wildernessthx.com)
HealingQuest offers wilderness therapy to connect with the balance nature provides. Trips can be day trips or multiple days and offers a variety of outdoor activities. They emphasize being present in the natural environment and sharing experiences and insight with other participants. The clinical director works with participant's therapists to support recovery and treatment plans. Healing Quest is based in Boulder Colorado and has field areas in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexi