AA alternatives: secular, women-only and self-guided options
AA is not the only way to get support. Here are the main alternatives, what each one offers, what they cost and what the evidence says, including where it is thin.
The main alternatives to AA are SMART Recovery (free, online and in person, no religious content) [1], Women for Sobriety (free, for women over 18, 95+ weekly meetings) [2], LifeRing (secular, online and in person) [3], and professional care through a doctor or NIAAA’s treatment navigator [4]. A 2020 Cochrane review of 27 studies and 10,565 people found clinically delivered twelve-step programs produced higher continuous abstinence than other active treatments, with 42% versus 35% abstinent after one year [5]. We found no equivalent review of the alternatives, so choose by what you will actually attend.
Before you read: who we are and what this is
Track it in Sober Girl
What the evidence says, and does not say
Start with the honest part. The 2020 Cochrane review on AA and twelve-step facilitation covered 27 studies and 10,565 people. It found high-certainty evidence that manualized, clinically delivered twelve-step programs lead to higher rates of continuous abstinence than other active treatments such as CBT: 42% remained completely abstinent a year later versus 35% [5]. For drinking intensity and alcohol-related consequences, they may perform just as well as other treatments [5]. We read this from the Cochrane news item, not the full review.
That is a reason to try AA before ruling it out, if the main thing in the way is the religious wording or the idea of a label. It is not a reason to stay if the format keeps you away. We did not find a comparable Cochrane review for SMART Recovery, Women for Sobriety or LifeRing, so this page does not rank them on effectiveness. The best option is the one you will go to.
The main alternatives at a glance
| Option | Approach | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMART Recovery | Evidence-informed, skills and strengths based, no religious content [1] | Online and in person across the US [1] | Free groups, led by trained facilitators [1] |
| Women for Sobriety | The New Life Program, for women over 18, founded in 1975 by Jean Kirkpatrick [2] | Trained peer facilitators, in person and online, 95+ weekly meetings [2] | Free [2] |
| LifeRing | Sobriety, secularity and self-empowerment: abstinence-focused, no prayer or religion [3] | Online and in-person meetings, email groups and a forum [3] | No fee stated on its homepage; a nonprofit that mentions donations [3] |
| Doctor or treatment program | Medical assessment, withdrawal support, and the three FDA-approved medications [6] | Find options with the NIAAA treatment navigator [4] | Varies |
How to choose
- You want no religious language: SMART Recovery or LifeRing.
- You want a women-only room: Women for Sobriety. See also our sober app for women page.
- You drink heavily or every day: start with a doctor, because stopping suddenly can be dangerous.
- You want something private you can use at 11 pm: a tracker covers the daily count, but it is not a group. Many people use one alongside a meeting.
- You are not sure: go to one meeting of two different groups before deciding. Most are free and you can leave.
Where a tracker fits
A group gives you people. A tracker gives you the daily count, the money you are keeping and a Craving SOS with a breathing exercise and a 10-minute timer, on your phone, privately. They do different jobs, and many people use both. If you want to compare trackers, start with our best sober tracker apps, and use the sobriety calculator to see your count.
Is Sober Girl right for you?
- use an iPhone or an Android phone
- want a private tracker, with your journal kept on your device
- want a day counter, money saved and a daily check-in in one calm place
- want a Craving SOS with a breathing exercise and a 10-minute timer
- want to start free and add Plus only if you need the journal, insights or milestone cards
- want a community feed, live coaching or an AI chat
- want a structured multi-week education program
- need medical help for heavy drinking or withdrawal. An app is not treatment, so see the safety notes above
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to AA?
There is no single best one. SMART Recovery and LifeRing are secular, Women for Sobriety is for women over 18, and a doctor is the right first step if you drink heavily. We found no head-to-head evidence, so pick the one you will actually attend.
Is SMART Recovery free?
According to its homepage, its recovery and family and friends support groups are free and led by trained facilitators, in person and online.
Is there an AA alternative just for women?
Women for Sobriety is for women over 18, with free, peer-led meetings in person and online. It was founded in 1975 by Jean Kirkpatrick and runs the New Life Program.
Does AA work?
A 2020 Cochrane review of 27 studies found clinically delivered twelve-step programs gave higher continuous abstinence than other active treatments, with 42% versus 35% abstinent at one year. Results depend on attending, and the review does not test every group format.
Can an app replace a support group?
No. A tracker such as Sober Girl helps with a daily count, money saved and a craving tool, but it is not a group or treatment. Many people use one alongside meetings or a doctor.
Sources
- SMART Recovery. SMART Recovery, homepage, retrieved 20 October 2026.
- Women for Sobriety. Women for Sobriety (501(c)(3) nonprofit), website retrieved 6 and 20 October 2026. Homepage says any woman over 18 seeking sobriety is welcome, meetings are free and led by trained peer facilitators in person and online (95+ weekly), and the founder is Jean Kirkpatrick, 1975.
- LifeRing Secular Recovery. LifeRing, homepage, retrieved 20 October 2026.
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. NIAAA.
- New Cochrane Review finds Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve-Step Facilitation programs help people to recover from alcohol problems. Cochrane, news item of 10 March 2020, on Kelly JF, Humphreys K, Ferri M. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020. 27 studies, 10,565 people. The abstinence result applies to clinically delivered twelve-step programs. Read from the news item, not the full review.
- Professional support. NIAAA, Rethinking Drinking. Lists the three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder and when to see a health professional.
- Alcohol withdrawal. MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), reviewed 1 January 2025 by Frank D. Brodkey, MD.
- National Helpline. SAMHSA. Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral line: 1-800-662-4357.
How we write these. Every figure above links to the source it came from, and we label self-reported and observational results as such. Where we could not find a source we trust, the page says so instead of filling the gap. Sober Girl is made by ShipAI Lab and this is not medical advice. Sources were checked on 6 October 2026. If you spot an error, email us at [email protected].
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Sober Girl is a private sobriety tracker for women, on iPhone and Android: day counter, money saved, craving SOS and a tree that grows with you. Free to start.