Substance Use & Recovery

The National Veterans Wellness & Healing Center is a nonprofit (founded 2009) that runs free weeklong healing retreats in Angel Fire, New Mexico for veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and their partners who live with post-traumatic stress (PTS), military sexual trauma, or moral injury. Each 7.5-day retreat combines counseling with therapies like massage, acupuncture, yoga, equine activities, and Native American healing ceremonies. All lodging, meals, and activities are paid for; participants only cover their own travel. This is a national program based in New Mexico, not a local Atlanta site.

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Partnership to End Addiction is a national nonprofit that helps parents and families whose child or loved one is using drugs or alcohol. You can text, email, or call their free, confidential helpline to talk one-on-one with a trained specialist who listens and helps you figure out next steps. They also offer free online guides, a risk-assessment tool, and parent coaching, all available in English and Spanish.

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Veterans Empowerment Organization (VEO) is an Atlanta nonprofit that helps U.S. veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. They offer emergency and long-term housing, mental health and addiction care, counseling, rental help, and job training to get veterans back on their feet. They welcome veterans regardless of past drug use or criminal record.

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Recovery Consultants of Atlanta (RCA) is a nonprofit community health center in Decatur that treats drug and alcohol addiction and helps people in recovery. They also offer regular doctor visits, mental health counseling, HIV testing and prevention, and a mobile medical unit. Care is offered to everyone, including people who are uninsured or low-income.

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Cherokee Veterans Community (CVC) is a faith-based military ministry of First Baptist Church Woodstock that supports veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. They run free support groups for men, women, and families, visit homebound and assisted-living veterans, offer spiritual and chaplain support, and connect people to local veteran resources. They also host a free monthly gathering with food and fellowship.

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LifeRing Secular Recovery is a peer-led, non-religious support network for people who want to quit drinking or using drugs and stay sober. It runs free online and local support meetings built around three ideas: staying sober, leaving religion out of it, and helping yourself. The only thing you need to join is a desire to be sober.

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Refuge Recovery is a free, peer-led program that helps people recover from addiction using Buddhist-inspired practices like meditation, mindfulness, and group support. Meetings are open to anyone — you do not have to be Buddhist or believe in a higher power. You can join free meetings online or in person, including a weekly Atlanta-area meeting.

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Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) is a free peer support community for military and veteran spouses, partners, and family members, run by the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. Trained peer leaders who have lived the military life offer one-on-one support, group meetings, educational talks, and social events — mostly online — to help families cope with deployment, transition to civilian life, and tough times. They also provide suicide prevention and mental health support resources.

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The Marietta Vet Center is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs counseling center that gives free, confidential mental health help to Veterans, service members, and their families. Staff offer one-on-one, group, and family counseling for issues like PTSD, depression, grief, and military sexual trauma, plus referrals for substance use and other VA services. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care or have a service-connected disability to come.

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Sonder Recovery is a free, peer-led nonprofit recovery community for LGBTQ+ people and allies, run entirely online with no physical location. They host daily one-hour processing calls led by trained peer leaders, plus recovery events, workshops, and a member community space where all paths to recovery are welcomed. Membership is free and open to people in recovery or who are 'recovery-curious.'

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Road to Recovery is a nonprofit that helps people who survived sexual abuse, including abuse by clergy. They offer free, confidential counseling, referrals, and advocacy, and you can call or text their 24/7 helpline anytime you need someone to talk to.

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SMART Recovery is a national nonprofit that runs free peer support groups for people trying to overcome addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, or other harmful habits. Instead of a 12-step approach, it uses practical, science-based tools to help you build motivation, handle cravings, and manage your thoughts and feelings. You can join free meetings online by Zoom or in person, including local groups in the Atlanta area.

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DBHDD is Georgia's state agency for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. Its Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) answers calls 24/7 at 1-800-715-4225 and connects people to crisis counseling, mobile crisis teams, open crisis or detox beds, and urgent appointments. You can also call or text 988 for help any time.

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7 Bridges to Recovery is a faith-based Christian ministry in the Atlanta area that helps men get off the streets and break free from addiction. Their main offering is a free, year-long residential discipleship program for men that provides housing, recovery support, life skills, and case management. They also run a street ministry that hands out food, clothing, and prayer to people who are homeless or in need.

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Operation Recovery Inc. is a Marietta, Georgia nonprofit that helps youth, families, and communities heal from violence and loss through trauma-informed education and support. They run a virtual grief support group for people who have lost loved ones, help crime victims apply for compensation and find resources, and offer youth mentoring and community safety events.

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Recovery Dharma is a free, peer-led recovery community that uses Buddhist practices like meditation, self-inquiry, and group sharing to help people recover from addiction of any kind. Meetings are run by volunteers and are open to anyone; you can join a local in-person group or an online meeting from anywhere. Use their website's 'Find a Meeting' tool to look up meeting times near you or online.

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