ALTERNATIVES TO AA | ADDICTION SUPPORT GROUP
Step into support and a space where you already belong.
This addiction support group is led by a licensed professional counselor and addiction specialist. We can be additional support for you alongside your AA community or an alternative to AA. Available to all residents in California and Maryland.
If you’ve tried AA or another 12-step group and desire additional support or a different kind of help, you’re not alone.
This group can be a supportive place for you alongside AA or maybe you’re looking to try something different. Either way, you are welcome in our group.
Maybe the structure didn’t feel right. Maybe the language doesn’t resonate with your beliefs. Or maybe you just want a place where you can be honest even if you’re still figuring out what recovery looks like for you.
This group is for people who want to understand why they keep returning to the same patterns and learn how to create change that lasts long-term.
Trauma-Informed Alternative to AA
AA can be life-changing for many people, but might not resonate with you. Or maybe it is a helpful community, but you desire healing beyond simply changing your behavior. As a group led by a trauma-trained addiction specialist we are able to go deeper into what is happening for you. By focusing on your experience beneath your behavior you will receive support that can create lasting change instead of temporary coping skills.
Here, we focus on:
Understanding the root cause of your behavior — not just stopping it.
Building new ways to process without pressure.
Practicing self-trust and compassion.
Creating a life that feels like yours, not one defined by addiction.
You Deserve a Recovery That Fits You
It is important that you find a combination of support that works well for you and your recovery process.
Rather than a set of steps to follow, this group provides education around addiction, connection, a safe place to process your experience, and practical tools you can use. It differs in that I don’t believe there is one form of recovery or abstinence. Instead I’ll invite each individual to decide for themselves what recovery looks like.
This alternative to 12-steps helps you explore recovery through compassion, education, and connection.
Details & Logistics
Who
Individuals struggling with addiction and residing in California or Maryland.
Facilitator
Paige Fulton, LPCC, learn more about me here.
When
TBD - Send me a message to stay updated.
Where
Online via secure HIPAA compliant Telehealth platform
Cost
$50/session
How to Join
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Click the link below to choose a time that works for you. We’ll meet online to talk about what your goals are and what you’re looking for in a group and see if the group feels like a good fit.
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During the call, you can ask anything about the group — structure, topics, or what to expect.
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If it feels like a good fit, you’ll receive all the details to join the next session. You’ll be welcomed into a space that values honesty, choice, and real-world healing.
You don’t have to do this perfectly. You just have to take one step forward.
Ready to take the first step? Click below to schedule a free consultation call.
A Different Kind of Support
This group is structured, trauma-informed support that helps you see why the behavior began and how to build lasting change.
You’ll learn to:
Recognize emotional and physical triggers
Calm your body and mind instead of numbing them
Reconnect with yourself and the people you care about
Build self-trust and confidence without harsh rules or guilt
Why This Addiction Group Works
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It is important that you have choice and agency in how your recovery process looks. Our work will help you learn to trust yourself again, make decisions that align with your values, and create a life that feels steady.
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You’re not broken. Your habits developed for a reason — to help you cope with pain or pressure. Once you understand them, you can replace them with healthier patterns built on compassion.
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You’ll have guidance and support, not a rigid script. Each week blends education, reflection, and discussion so you can apply what you learn in daily life.
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You’ll find safety in honest conversations and shared experiences. Recovery grows in relationships, not isolation.
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You don’t have to be ready to quit everything tomorrow. Change begins with one honest step and continues at your pace.
Who This Group Is For
This addiction group is for anyone in California or Maryland who:
Wants to understand behavior instead of judging it.
Feels stuck in cycles of guilt or self-blame.
Is curious about recovery, but not desiring an all-or-nothing mindset.
Wants to rebuild trust, peace, and self-respect.
Values compassion, honesty, and personal growth.
Whether your struggle involves alcohol, substances, food, shopping, porn, gambling, or another pattern, this group gives you the tools and support to move forward with clarity.
What to Expect
Each 75-minute online session combines education, conversation, and guided reflection. You’ll make sense of your behavior without shame and begin building patterns that bring calm and connection.
Every session includes:
A short teaching on topics like boundaries, emotional regulation, or stress responses.
Discussion and practical tools for real-life use.
Optional sharing and support from others who understand.
You’ll never be pushed to share more than you want to. Everyone moves at their own pace
What You’ll Gain
By the end of the eight-week group, you’ll leave with:
A clearer understanding of yourself and your patterns.
Relief from guilt and self-blame.
Tools to regulate emotions and handle triggers.
Healthier communication and boundaries.
A renewed sense of calm, confidence, and self-respect.
You’ll feel more grounded and connected to the version of yourself you’ve been trying to return to.
How It’s Different From AA or NA
AA and NA center on abstinence, surrender, and lifelong membership in a 12-step structure. This group offers another approach. It is led by a trauma-informed therapist which brings a different perspective to our work together.
We don’t use terms like powerless or character defects. Instead, we look at what your behavior has been protecting you from and how to build coping skills that align with your values.
You’ll have structure, support, and accountability. You’ll also experience freedom, compassion, and the ability to define what recovery means for you.
Relapse isn’t failure here. It’s information. A signal that something still needs care and attention. This isn’t about following someone else’s steps; it’s about learning to take your own with authenticity.
FAQs
Have questions about joining this addiction support group? Check out these frequently asked questions. If you don’t see your question here, click here to get in touch.
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No, I do not take insurance.
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You are billed per session.
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The relationships you make in our group are foundational to your growth and support. You must commit to a minimum of 8-weeks to join this group.
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Yes, everything you share is private. This commitment is included in the group therapy contract each member signs.
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8-10 people are in the group at a time.
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Yes, you are able to be in the group and individual therapy with me. However, I will never disclose in group that I see or know you as a client with individual work to honor that relationship as confidential.
Healing doesn’t happen through perfection. It happens through honesty, choice, and connection.
Join our online addiction support group as an alternative to AA or support alongside your AA community. Book a free consultation to join.