- Read More
- For Newcomers
- Welcome to LifeRing
- If This Is Day One
- The Three-S Trilogy
- Sobriety Is Our Priority
- Secular Is Our Middle Name
- Self-Help Is What We Do
- For Treatment Professionals
- Presenting LifeRing
- We Come Recommended
- Choice of Support Groups: It’s the Law
- For Convenors
- Give Something Back
- How Was Your Week?
- For Your Toolbox
- Recovery by Choice
- Keepers
- Recovery Toolbox
- Get Connected
- Email Lists
- LSRmail (sobriety)
- LSRbody (body image)
- LSR-LO (loved ones)
- Chat
- Chat Room
- FAQs and Help
- Forums and Blogs
- Recovery Forum
- New Recovery Blog
- BookTalk Blog
- Ning Network
- Other Local Sites
- Tampa Bay
- UK
- Europe
- ... and more
About LifeRing
Q. What is LifeRing?
A. LifeRing Secular Recovery is a non-professional support group created by and for alcoholics and addicts. LifeRing exists to help its members get and stay clean and sober by supporting them as they build customized, individualized recovery programs.
Q. What’s the LifeRing program? Are there steps?
A. LifeRing doesn’t use a twelve-step-based program like the one that originated with Alcoholics Anonymous and has since been adapted for dealing with other addictions and compulsions. The twelve steps are geared toward a moral, spiritual, or religious approach to dealing with addiction. LifeRing approaches addiction as a physical and psychological problem. With the help of the Recovery by Choice workbook, our mutual support, and simple trial and error, we believe that each of us can build his or her own recovery program.
Q. What’s all this “secular” stuff?
A. “Secular” is the opposite of sacred, that is to say, “attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis” (according to the New Oxford American Dictionary). For most of us, most of life takes place in one kind of secular environment or another. Eating in restaurants, shopping in grocery stores or department stores, driving on public thoroughfares—these are all secular activities. In LifeRing, recovery takes place in a secular environment as well. We welcome persons of any faith, or of none. Matters of theology, spirituality, and religion are generally not topics of conversation in our meetings.
Q. Is LifeRing affiliated with other programs?
A. LifeRing is not affiliated in any way with any other recovery or self-help organization. LifeRing is incorporated as a non-profit entity in the state of California and is controlled by an elected congress of delegates from meetings.
Q. Can I come to your meetings?
A. If you’re having trouble getting or staying clean and sober, or if you love someone who’s having trouble with addiction, you are welcome to attend our meetings.
Q. I’m not a drinker. My problem is [some drug]. Can I still come to your meetings?
A. Poly-addiction—that is to say, addiction to multiple substances—is the norm rather than the exception. We make no distinction between alcohol and illicit or non-medically indicated drugs.
Q. How do your meetings work?
A. Our meetings follow the “How Was Your Week?” format. We take turns talking about what’s been going on in our recoveries since the last meeting, and look ahead to any challenges or potential pitfalls that await us in the coming week. There is fuller description on the Meetings page.
Q. Is there a charge to attend meetings?
A. There is no charge to attend meetings. As in other recovery programs, we “pass the basket,” but—as in other recovery programs—contributions are entirely voluntary. And if you’d like to help out in some other way—helping to set up or tear down at meetings, arranging for refreshments, etc.—that’s great, too.
Q. More questions?
A. The main LifeRing website has an excellent set of FAQs.
