Online Resources and Support

The most important point about finding support is to find the approach that fits you the best, rather than trying to make yourself adapt to what works best for others. Individual, or one-on-one support is available with the MATC AODA Specialist at no cost. The following online resources are also offered as suggestions but are not intended to represent a "best of the web" list.

Para información en español ver www.adicciones.org/index.html

There can also be tremendous support in a group. When members of the group share the same ideas, beliefs and goals, the support can be very powerful. Some people find that they prefer this type of support . The following are the different types of support groups and links that could provide more detailed information on how they can help:

General Information

A range of information is available here, including some sites that describe facts and statistics and others that address theoretical ideas.

Addiction Science and Research Education Center: Latest findings presented in understandable terms

Dance Safe: Harm reduction for the rave and nightclub community

Drug Information: Resource for information on prescription and non-prescription medicines

Harm Reduction Coalition: Provides education, interventions and community organizing on behalf of harm reduction strategies

Motivational Interviewing: General information, training, reprints, research and links related to increasing motivation for change

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: Research intended to develop FDA approved uses for specific substances including cannabis and MDMA

National Council on Problem Gambling: Intended to increase public awareness, availability of treatment and research to expand prevention and education

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition: Promotes awareness and recognition of harms and dangers associated with use of inhalants

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Government sponsored research program on all aspects of alcohol abuse/alcoholism

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Government sponsored research program on all aspects of drug abuse

NORML: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Lawsnon-profit public interest advocating for responsible use

WebMD: Medical reference for conditions, diseases, symptoms and medicines

Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources: A full range of information with sections on prevention; youth development programs, data and statistics, resources and publications, training and event calendars, prevention and legislative news, funding and links

Policy

These sites offer historical and current perspectives on policy issues related to alcohol and other drug use, laws and non-governmental groups.

Drug Policy Alliance: Supports alternatives to cannabis prohibition and the Drug War

Drug War Facts: Researched data on public health and criminal justice issues

IMMLY: Is My Medicine Legal Yet- supports and encourages access, public education, and research regarding therapeutic uses of cannabis

Marijuana Policy Project: Policy reform site regarding marijuana

Media Awareness Project: Addresses policy reforms through balanced media coverage

Medical Marijuana ProCon: A non-partisan site presenting debate points related to medical marijuana

Office of National Drug Control Policy: White House based site providing strategies for controlling drug use

Schaffer Library of Drug Policy: Extensive articles on vast range of historical and current policy issues

Students for Sensible Drug Policy: National and local chapters focused on reducing harms caused by drug abuse and drug policies; encourages student involvement in non-violent political action

Recovery and Support Resources

These are examples of a variety of methods for providing support as people work toward developing healthy lifestyles free of alcohol and/or other drugs.

Al-Anon: 12 step support groups for family members of alcoholics

Alcoholics Anonymous: 12 step support groups for people who want to quit drinking. This is the most available and most well known. The 12 steps of AA have been adapted to suit other issues, such as narcotics, cocaine, gambling, and co-dependency. These steps focus in part on the acceptance of powerlessness over the substance (or behavior), and on the idea of turning to a Higher Power for direction and support. One advantage of AA is that there are numerous meetings throughout the area.

Charlotte Kasl, 16-Steps: Recovery groups based on discovery and empowerment. This approach is similar to AA in that it uses steps and includes the notion of a Higher Power. The significant difference is the focus on empowerment as opposed to powerlessness. This could be a very valuable alternative for some people. The disadvantage is that there is only one meeting per week for the Madison area.

Faces and Voices of Recovery: Advocacy for people in recovery

Families Anonymous: 12 step support groups for family members of alcohol or drug users. FA is often attended by parents.

Gamblers Anonymous: 12 step support groups for compulsive gamblers

Marijuana Anonymous: 12 step support groups for people who want to quit use of marijuana

Narcotics Anonymous: 12 step support groups for people who want to quit drug use

Self- Management and Recovery Training: Secular alternative to 12 step groups that focuses on distinguishing between rational and irrational thoughts and feelings. This approach does not refer to a Higher Power, does not use steps, and does not expect any particular number of meetings to attend. The emphasis at SMART is on learning to recognize the difference between rational and irrational thoughts and feelings. This might be the best choice for someone who is not spiritually based. There are two meetings per week in the Madison area.

White Bison: Recovery groups specific to Native Americans

Women For Sobriety: Recovery groups specific to the needs of women

Research Resources

These sites may be helpful in providing background for either personal learning or for class assignments.

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: Research intended to develop FDA approved uses for specific substances including cannabis and MDMA

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Government sponsored research program on all aspects of alcohol abuse/alcoholism

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Government sponsored research program on all aspects of drug abuse

NORML: National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws non-profit public interest advocating for responsible use

Schaffer Library of Drug Policy: Extensive articles on vast range of historical and current policy issues

The Stanton Peele Addiction Website: Non-medical approach to addressing AODA issues

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: Full range of help and services for both substance abuse and mental health issues

The Vaults of Erowid: Extensive references for drugs, chemicals and plants

WAAODA: Links to treatment providers throughout Wisconsin

Treatment

These sites provide information about how and where to access treatment services.

Addiction Recovery Guide: Sections on treatment options; addiction medications; holistic approaches; residential treatment; and a message board

Facility Locator: A national search site for finding treatment providers

Pride Institute: Treatment resources specific to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities

Rapid Detox: Services for detoxing from opiate based drugs (heroin, morphine, Oxycontin)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: Full range of help and services for both substance abuse and mental health issues

The Stanton Peele Addiction Website: Non-medical approach to addressing AODA issues

Tellurian: Madison based not for profit agency; multiple levels of care; help for those unable to pay

Teresa McGovern Center: In-patient and outpatient treatment programs; help for persons with both AODA and mental health issues

WAAODA: Links to treatment providers throughout Wisconsin

Last Modified: July 12, 2011

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