National Addiction Treatment CentersSupport Groups at a Glance
There is more than one kind of recovery meeting. Some follow twelve steps, some use secular tools, some draw on faith or meditation, and some exist for relatives. Each of them holds meetings that people in Massachusetts can join.
Whichever group you try first, you can switch, or attend more than one.
- A.A. serves people with a drinking problem through twelve steps and peer sharing; the only requirement is a wish to stop drinking.
- N.A. focuses on addiction to any drug rather than one substance, using the same twelve-step structure as A.A.
- SMART Recovery takes a non-spiritual approach, with discussion-based meetings built around self-management tools; it covers alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors.
- Al-Anon is for the family side of a drinking problem: relatives and friends meet to share how it affects them, using twelve steps.
- Nar-Anon does for families of people using drugs what Al-Anon does for families affected by drinking.
- Recovery Dharma meetings combine meditation with sharing and are open to people with any addiction.
- Refuge Recovery meetings center on mindfulness and meditation as tools for recovery.
- Celebrate Recovery offers a faith-based, Christ-centered path and meets in local churches.
Your First Meeting
Open meetings welcome anyone, including family, friends and people who are simply curious. Closed meetings are only for people who share the group's purpose, such as wanting to stop drinking or using.
At a speaker meeting, one or two people tell their own story. At a discussion meeting, members take turns talking about a topic or a reading. Some meetings study the program's book or steps.
Many groups also meet online or by phone, which can help if you live far from a meeting, work unusual hours or want to try a meeting from home first.
- You do not have to speak. You can say you would rather listen, or simply pass.
- You do not have to give your full name.
- Meetings are free to attend. Many pass a basket for voluntary contributions, and you do not have to give.
- Arriving a few minutes early is fine, and so is leaving early.
Where to Look Up Meetings in Massachusetts
Peer support groups and mutual-aid programs run their own meetings. The links below go to each organization's official pages for Massachusetts, where you can search for meetings. We do not list, copy or vouch for individual meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous
A peer fellowship for people who want to stop drinking.
Narcotics Anonymous
A peer fellowship for people who want to stop using drugs.
SMART Recovery
A science-informed, self-empowering program with in-person and online meetings.
Al-Anon Family Groups
A peer fellowship for relatives and friends of people with a drinking problem.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
A peer fellowship for relatives and friends of people with a drug problem.
Recovery Dharma
A peer-led program that draws on Buddhist practices and principles.
Refuge Recovery
A mindfulness-based recovery community that draws on Buddhist practices.
Celebrate Recovery
A Christ-centered recovery program run through local churches.
National Addiction Treatment Centers is an independent directory. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Narcotics Anonymous World Services, SMART Recovery, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Nar-Anon Family Groups, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery World Services, Celebrate Recovery, or any other fellowship or support organisation named on this page, and none of them has reviewed or approved this page. Each link goes to the organisation's own official page, which controls its meeting information. Meetings move, close and change, so confirm the time and place with the source before you go. Links in this section are editorial. They are not paid, sponsored or referral placements, and no treatment provider can pay to be added to or reordered within this section. Support meetings are not a substitute for professional treatment.
If you or someone else is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For treatment referral and information, SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357, free, confidential and open 24 hours a day.
Medication and Support Meetings
If you take methadone, buprenorphine or another medication as part of your treatment, you can go to support meetings. Medication taken as prescribed is a treatment, and many people in recovery use it.
SMART Recovery states that it supports legally prescribed addiction medication and welcomes people who use it at its meetings.
Twelve-step groups such as A.A. and N.A. are run by their own members, and each group sets its own customs, so how a meeting talks about medication can differ from one group to the next.
- Before you go, ask the local intergroup, service office or group contact how the meeting views medication.
- Look for meetings described as medication-friendly or MAT-friendly. Some areas and online meeting lists use these labels.
- Try a few different meetings. If one does not feel right, another may.
- You do not have to tell anyone at a meeting about your medication.
Talk to Your Prescriber
Never stop, lower or change a medication because of something said at a meeting. Talk to your prescriber first. This is general information, not medical advice.
Attendance Slips and Court Requirements
Some people come to meetings because a judge or probation officer requires it. That is common, and open meetings welcome them like anyone else.
Signing an attendance slip is up to each group and whoever leads the meeting. Twelve-step groups have no link to the court system.
- Find out exactly what your order or program asks for.
- Check whether online meetings count and how they can be verified.
- Keep your own log of dates, times and meeting names.
- Raise any problem with proof of attendance with your officer early.
Your Requirements
This page cannot give legal advice. Follow the instructions of your court or probation officer.
Meetings Are Not Treatment
Peer groups offer support and shared experience. They do not diagnose, prescribe or supervise withdrawal.
Someone who needs medical detox, medication or a full program should speak with a treatment provider; meetings can continue alongside that care.
Our listings cover addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts; the map and city pages are just below, or call the number on this page to talk it through.
This number connects to our central helpline, not directly to a listed facility.
Search and Map Facilities in Massachusetts
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Where to Find Addiction Treatment Centers in Massachusetts
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Support Meeting FAQs for Massachusetts
What if I am not spiritual?
You have options. SMART Recovery uses practical, non-spiritual tools, and many twelve-step members interpret the higher power idea in their own way, or not at all.
Where can relatives get support?
Family groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon meet in person and online, and open twelve-step meetings also welcome visitors.
How do I know if a meeting is open?
Meeting finders usually label each meeting as open or closed. Open meetings welcome visitors; closed meetings are for people who want to stop drinking or using themselves.
Do I need to stop my medication to attend?
No. Meetings do not ask you to stop a prescribed medication. Any change should be decided with your prescriber, not at a meeting.
Do online meetings count for a court order?
That depends on your court or probation officer. Check with them, and ask how an online meeting can be verified.
Should I go to treatment or to meetings?
Many people do both. A treatment provider can assess what care you need, and meetings can support you along the way.