With drug addiction and alcoholism on the rise in the United States, education about substance abuse is more important than ever.
Addiction non-profit organizations can play an important role in the nationwide fight against substance abuse. Today’s guide showcases some of the leading addiction nonprofits and shows you how to get help if you want to reclaim your life from substance abuse.
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What Addiction Nonprofit Organizations Do to Help
The latest data from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicate that more than 46 million U.S. adults were addicted to drugs in 2021, and 29.5 million were addicted to alcohol.
The effects of addiction extend beyond the person abusing substances, though. Addiction can impact friends, families, and whole communities. Substance abuse nonprofits are designed to provide support and resources to those grappling with addiction, helping them to transition from active substance abuse into ongoing recovery.
One of the core goals of addiction nonprofit organizations is to raise awareness about addiction, while at the same time minimizing the stigma surrounding substance abuse. An addiction nonprofit strives to educate the public about the causes of addiction, the disease model of addiction, and the various treatment options available to those committed to recovery. Addiction non-profits also offer support and resources for those struggling with addictions and their family members.
Many addiction nonprofits deliver programs and services to help people battling addictions to drugs or alcohol. These programs may include:
- Counseling
- Therapy
- Support groups
- Education about all aspects of addiction and recovery
Some nonprofits may also provide housing and job training to help those with addictions streamline their transition from treatment to sober living.
Addiction nonprofit organizations also advocate for policies and legislation supporting addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. Nonprofits work to ensure that people fighting addiction can connect with the resources and support they need to recover and lead healthy, productive sober lives.
Top 5 Non Profit Organizations for Substance Abuse in the U.S.
- She Recovers
- Faces and Voices of Recovery
- National Drug Dependency and Alcohol Awareness
- To Write Love on Her Arms
- Shatterproof
1) She Recovers
She Recovers is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide support, resources, and community to women who are in recovery or seeking recovery from:
- Addiction
- Trauma
- Major life challenges
Founded by thought leader Dawn Nickel, She Recovers has snowballed into a global movement that has touched the lives of over 3 million women in recovery or seeking recovery.
She Recovers offers a range of programs and services to support women in their recovery journey, including:
- Online meetings
- Retreats
- Coaching programs
This nonprofit also offers a scholarship program that provides financial assistance to women without the resources to attend their events.
In addition to their programs, She Recovers has a podcast where they share inspiring stories of recovery and interviews with experts in the field of addiction and recovery.
She Recovers adopt a holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing the importance of addressing all aspects of a woman’s life, including physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
2) Faces and Voices of Recovery
Faces and Voices of Recovery is a nonprofit organization that advocates for policies and practices that support addiction recovery. The nonprofit strives to promote the idea that recovery is always possible, and that people in recovery should have access to the resources and support they need to sustain their recovery.
Faces and Voices of Recovery works to eliminate the stigma associated with addiction and recovery, striving to promote the concept of addiction as a chronic medical condition that can be managed with appropriate treatment and support.
The organization provides resources and tools that include:
- Recovery support services directory
- Advocacy resources
- Toolkit for kickstarting a recovery community organization
Faces and Voices of Recovery also engages in advocacy efforts at the national and state levels. The nonprofit supports policies and legislations that promote recovery. They advocate for access to:
- Evidence-based treatments
- Recovery support services
- Policies that support those in recovery – expungement of criminal records for nonviolent drug offenses, for instance
3) National Drug Dependency and Alcohol Awareness
NDDAA (National Drug Dependency and Alcohol Awareness) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about drug and alcohol addiction and supporting those in recovery. Founded in 1944, NDDAA works to educate the public about the dangers of drug and alcohol addiction and the importance of seeking help.
NDDAA offers a range of resources, including:
- Videos
- Pamphlets, videos
- Training programs
- Referrals to treatment and support services
- Peer-to-peer recovery support
NDDAA also advocate for increased funding for addiction treatment and research.
4) To Write Love on Her Arms
TWLOHA (To Write Love on Her Arms) is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide hope and support to those with mental health conditions and addictions. Founded in 2007, TWLOHA has become a well-known organization in the mental health and addiction recovery space.
TWLOHA offers a range of resources that include:
- Blog
- Online community
- Resources for connecting with addiction treatment and support services
- Support for family members of those struggling with addiction and mental health issues
TWLOHA emphasizes storytelling as a means of healing and connection. The nonprofit started with a story. Founder Jamie Tworkowski wrote a story – To Write Love on her Arms – to help a friend entering addiction treatment. The story was originally published on MySpace. The story inspired messages from all over the world and the founder started TWLOHA in response. By sharing personal stories of individuals who have struggled with addiction and mental health issues, this nonprofit inspires hope and promotes understanding.
An annual event, Heavy and Light, allows people in recovery to share their stories through music and spoken word performances.
TWLOHA also engages in advocacy efforts to promote mental health awareness and access to treatment.
5) Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a nonprofit dedicated to ending the devastation caused by addiction. Founder Gary Mendell lost his son to drug addiction and he created Shatterproof to:
- Change the conversation surrounding addiction
- Promote evidence-based treatment and policies
- Provide support to those affected by addiction
Shatterproof offers resources and tools that include a helpline, support groups, and a comprehensive addiction treatment locator. You can also access a digital library of evidence-based resources for addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Shatterproof focus on measurement and accountability. They have developed a system to measure the quality of addiction treatment programs and provide a rating system to help individuals and families make informed decisions about treatment options.
Get Addiction Treatment at California Detox
If you are addicted to prescription medications, illicit narcotics, or alcohol, we can help you initiate a sustained recovery at California Detox in Laguna Beach. We specialize treating all types of addictions in an outpatient setting. We also provide integrated dual diagnosis treatment for addictions that co-occur with mental health disorders like depression or anxiety.
All California Detox treatment programs connect those in recovery with personalized addiction treatment that combines science-backed and holistic treatments that may include:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Psychotherapy
- Group counseling
- Individual counseling
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Aftercare
When you feel ready to move beyond active addiction, reach out to California Detox by calling (949) 390-5377.
