What is Dual Recovery Anonymous?
Learn About The 12-Step Program for Dual Diagnosis Recovery
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Did you know that one in four adults with a serious mental illness will also struggle with some type of substance abuse? If this describes your situation, then you should know that you aren’t alone. Help might be available to you locally in the form of 12-step meetings. What is Dual Recovery Anonymous?
Dual Recovery Anonymous is a community of men and women who have chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. The adapted version of the Twelve Step framework allows you to lead your life in a healthy and constructive way. It’s a nonprofessional group and is not a substitute for care.
Changes Healing Center can help you locate and attend meetings focusing on dual diagnosis recovery. Keep reading to learn more about the DRA program and get your questions answered.
What is a DRA Program?
Dual Recovery Anonymous can be an important tool for people with a dual diagnosis who want to enter into recovery. A DRA program helps you to stay sober, leveraging a community of like-minded men and women who are facing similar issues in their recovery. It’s a fellowship or a support group meeting, not requiring access to professional care.
For those who can’t afford to continue with rehab options, these DRA programs can help you when it comes to actively improving your alcohol and drug use.
There are only two requirements for admission to a meeting: chemical dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. You must desire to stop using drugs and alcohol and to cope with that emotional or psychiatric illness in a healthy and constructive way.
Nonprofessional Support for Recovery
It’s worth noting that DRA programs are outside the purview of a mental health professional or medical professional. When you find a source of community through these programs, they’re independent of a clinical approach. They may not be a substitute for someone who is early in their recovery process and is just learning to manage their illnesses.
Instead, they use an adapted version of the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to offer support focusing on psychologically difficult situations and addiction.
Members should consider seeking professional help to recover in addition to these DRA meetings.
No-Cost Community Programs to Supplement Treatment
One of the most appealing aspects for members who are drawn to the self-help program is that groups are offered at no cost. For anyone who is unsure whether they can afford residential programs long-term, DRA stands in the gap to offer support.
While insurance may cover the cost of your care at Changes Healing Center, DRA programs help you gain access to additional care without additional cost. Meetings are readily available and are found in almost every community, making it easy for anyone with a desire to change to access help.
Finding a Local Meeting in the Valley
Fortunately, you may not even have to leave your house to gain access to these beneficial meetings. There are tons of online, virtual meetings that you can attend to get more information on the program and to kickstart your recovery process with DRA.
Of course, there are in-person meetings as well for anyone who prefers the traditional form of face-to-face meetings with local membership. Either way you decide to participate, you’ll start to form a helpful circle of support that will allow you to cope with your addiction and mental illness in a productive way.
Keep in mind that there are different types of DRA meetings as well. For example, you can tap into their resources for step meetings, discussion meetings, and more.
Getting Help with Dual Recovery Anonymous Meetings
Psychiatric illnesses affect more than just your daily quality of life. They can also influence or encourage someone to continue with chemical dependency. This type of dual illness is problematic because of the feedback loop that often occurs. But what can you do to handle both in a healthy and constructive way?
Dual Recovery Anonymous meetings are just one option for mutual support. Research shows that those who are chemically dependent may benefit from the Twelve Step approach adapted for dual diagnosis.
Here’s what you need to know about the self-help membership organization that facilitates these types of meetings.
Studies Have Shown a Significant Decrease in Chemical Dependency for DRA Participants
When dealing with an emotional or psychiatric illness, it can be difficult to tease out which issue drives the chemical dependency. Alcohol and other intoxicating drugs can worsen mental health, as well as issues presented the other way around. Research proves that individuals in Twelve Step programs will have less substance use.
In one study, more than one hundred individuals were followed through the Twelve Steps for a 36-week period. At the end of the study, those who had participated in Dual Recovery Anonymous presented as having decreased frequency and intensity of drinking.
Both our chemical dependency and our mental health require intervention, and dual recovery offers the help that many people are seeking.
Get Help for Dual Diagnoses at Changes Healing Center Today
The risks of leaving your addiction and psychiatric illness untreated are too great to fathom. The good news is that Changes Healing Center can help you manage your dual diagnosis recovery with programs like Dual Recovery Anonymous alongside clinical interventions.
Let our enrollment team answer your questions today and help you reserve a spot in our rehab program, whether you want inpatient or outpatient care!
References
- Mental health and substance use co-occurring disorders. SAMHSA. (n.d.).
- Case Western Reserve University. (2021, June 25). Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA). Center for Evidence-Based Practices.
- Meetings. Dual Recovery Anonymous. (2025, April 15).
- Bogenschutz, M. P., Rice, S. L., Tonigan, J. S., Vogel, H. S., Nowinski, J., Hume, D., & Arenella, P. B. (2014). 12-step facilitation for the dually diagnosed: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 46(4), 403–411.
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