LifeRing for alcoholism believes in you. It believes that people DO have the power to overcome alcoholism. The program is free and also helpful for drug addiction.

LifeRing believes that every alcoholic has the power to achieve lasting sobriety.  It’s hard. There are often setbacks. But in every alcoholic there exists the desire to find lasting sobriety.

LifeRing works by giving positive reinforcement to abilities that people already have. The process is “Empowering Your Sober Self.”

The confidential meetings are available on the internet and in-person. In most of the latter, people sit in an informal circle. After opening the meeting, the facilitator asks people about their week. People then take turns talking about their recovery during the past week. And also what lies ahead next week. People comment and discuss in a relaxed way. It’s similar to sober friends chatting in a living room. Meetings typically end with a mutual round of applause for staying sober.

The only requirement for participation is a desire to be sober. People should not to criticize other treatment approaches. They should not tell long stories about their drinking or drugging past. They should not give unsolicited advice. And, of course, they should not discuss religion or politics.

LifeRing in not a 12-Step Program

LifeRing does not have or do any of these things.

• • Have any steps to follow.
  • Believe people are powerless over alcohol.
  • Require members to submit their will and lives to God or any “Higher Power.”
  • Expect people to label themselves.
  • Believe that sobriety requires a Higher Power.
  • Require members to ask God to remove their shortcomings.
  • Expect people to pray to learn God’s will for themselves so they can carry it out.
  • Require people to  improve their conscious contact with God.
  • Believe that people must have a spiritual awakening to be sober.
  • Expect members to carry any message to other alcoholics.

LifeRing is not anti-religion or anti-spiritual. But it considers these to be personal matters.

Most courts and mandated treatment programs consider and credit program attendance as equivalent to attendance at other mutual support groups. Indeed, it’s actually illegal for judges or other government employees to mandate attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A). That’s because every appeals court case says AA is religious. And the U.S. Supreme Court upholds that finding.

LifeRing also offers a wide choice of online support options. They include a social network, chat rooms, a forum, and email listservs. Study meetings at which people work through the Recovery by Choice workbook together.

Readings about LifeRing for Alcoholism

Anon. A Handbook of Secular Recovery. Oakland: LR.

Nicolaus, M. Empowering Your Sober Self. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
________. How Was Your Week? Oakland, CA: LR.
________. Presenting LifeRing Secular Recovery. Oakland: LR.

Note. Neither this site nor your host receives any benefit for describing the LifeRing program. Description does not imply endorsement.