Updated on November, 4th 2020
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Finding sober friends doesn’t have to be difficult. In Austin, you can build a strong sober social life through meetups, recovery meetings, and sober‑friendly activities that don’t revolve around bars. Whether you’ve lived here for years or you’re new to town for work, school, treatment, or a fresh start, the options below can help you connect with supportive people.
Recovery Program & Alumni Events
If you’re in treatment or early recovery, ask your program (or local recovery organizations) about alumni events and sober social outings. Many groups host low‑pressure gatherings like speaker nights, game nights, volunteer days, and outdoor activities where you can meet people who also prioritize sobriety. Eudaimonia Recovery Homes also hosts events for residents and alumni. If you’re specifically looking for sober living housing in Austin, you can compare options on our Austin sober living page. If you’re considering structured housing, compare sober living in Austin, TX.
Sober Meetups in Austin
Austin has a wide range of sober‑friendly meetups and activity groups. Joining a hobby-based meetup (running, art, book clubs, etc.) is one of the easiest ways to meet new people while staying alcohol‑free. There are a number of Sober Meetups in Austin that are designed to help men and women connect with peers in recovery through fun Austin sober events and activities like biking, running, pottery-making, book clubs, square dancing, and more. No matter what hobbies or Austin sober social events you’re into, you can find a group of sober people who enjoy the same things.
AA Meetings
On any given day, there are many AA meetings across Austin. Regular meetings are a reliable way to build routine and meet supportive people in recovery. If you’re nervous about going alone, consider inviting a supportive friend or reaching out to the meeting contact ahead of time.
To find current meeting times and formats, use the official schedules linked below.
AA Meetings in Austin, TX
| Group | Meeting Details | Contact Info | Meeting Schedule |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | In-person and online | (512) 444-0071 mailaustinaa@gmail.com | austinaa.org/meetings |
| Adult Children of Alcoholics | In-person and online | lonestaraca@gmail.com | lonestaraca.org/meetings |
| Cocaine Anonymous | In-person and online | (512) 339-4357 hotline@ca-scta.org | ca-scta.org |
| Crystal Meth Anonymous | In-person and online | texascma@gmail.com | cmatx.org/meetings |
| Drug Addicts Anonymous | In-person | (214) 460-2658 bigbookg@yahoo.com | daausa.org/find-a-meeting/?tsml-day=any&tsml-region=austin |
| Heroin Anonymous | Online | hawssecretary@gmail.com | heroinanonymous.org/meetings |
| Marijuana Anonymous | In-person and online | (512) 838-3187 | marijuana-anonymous.org/find-a-meeting |
| Narcotics Anonymous | In-person and online | (512) 480-0004 ctana@ctana.org | ctana.org/local-meetings-list |
| Nicotine Anonymous | In-person, online, and phone | info@nicotine-anonymous.org | nicotine-anonymous.org/find-a-meeting |
Non-12-Step Recovery Meetings – Austin, TX
| Group | Meeting Details | Contact Info | Meeting Schedule |
| Lifering Secular Recovery | Online | 1-800-811-4142 service@lifering.org | lifering.org/online-meetings |
| SMART Recovery | In-person and online | (832) 792-7569 smartrecoveryinaustin@gmail.com | smartrecoverytest.org/local/meetings |
| Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) | Online | sos@cfiwest.org | sossobriety.org/on-line-groups |
| Women for Sobriety | Online | (215) 536-8026 contact@womenforsobriety.org | womenforsobriety.org/meetings |
Meeting times and formats can change. Please use the links below to confirm the latest schedules and whether meetings are in-person, online, or both..
Why You Need Positive Social Support in Recovery
Some of you reading this may be thinking, “I don’t need to find sober friends. I already have friends.” Or maybe you don’t have many friends but don’t think you need them. Both of these mindsets can be very dangerous and, over time, could compromise your sobriety.
Positive social support is a crucial aspect of addiction recovery.1 Several different scientific studies have provided evidence that social support has a very positive impact on the behaviors, mental health, and overall wellness of people who are recovering from addiction.2,3
The good thing is, the longer you remain sober, the more confident you will become in your ability to do so. But for now, in the early stages of recovery, positive social support is key to maintaining your sobriety. Here are just a few of the main benefits of having sober friends in recovery:
- You won’t be alone in your struggle to stay sober.
- Your friends will understand what you’re going through because they have struggled with the same things themselves.
- Your friends will be able to provide useful suggestions on how to deal with cravings and temptation.
- You’ll have more support as you gradually reintegrate into society.
- Sober friends can also provide physical help, such as financial assistance or help to complete a specific task.
- Having sober friends provides a sense of belonging and community.
- You’ll feel less isolated, stressed, and lonely.
- Social support reduces feelings of shame and secrecy.
- You’ll have someone to share in your success and celebrate your ongoing sobriety with.
Need More Support in Austin?
If you’re looking for structured sober living housing and accountability in Austin, our Austin sober living hub has locations, pricing ranges, and next steps. If you have questions about programs or resident/alumni events, contact Eudaimonia Recovery Homes.
References:
- https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/recovery-from-addiction-social-support/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20946752
- https://journals.lww.com/nursingresearchonline/Abstract/1986/11000/Self_Esteem,_Social_Support,_And_Positive_Health.7.aspx
