The Westside of Los Angeles has one of the largest recovery communities in the country, with meetings every day of the week, morning to night. This guide shows where to find them, what to expect at your first one and which free resources in Los Angeles County you can call any time. It is the same starting point we give residents in our sober living homes in Venice, Mar Vista, Cheviot Hills and Mid City.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988.
How to find a meeting near you
Meeting times and locations change often, so the official finders below are the most reliable way to check what is happening today. Most let you filter by neighborhood, day, in-person or online, and meeting type.
12 Step meetings
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): the Los Angeles Central Office meeting search covers the Westside and all of LA County. Its 24-hour line is (323) 936-4343. The free Meeting Guide app shows nearby AA meetings on your phone.
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA): the Southern California Region meeting search. Helpline (800) 863-2962, Spanish (888) 622-4672.
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA): the Cocaine Anonymous Los Angeles meeting list. 24-hour helpline (888) 714-8341.
- Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA): the CMA meeting directory, in person and online. Helpline (855) 638-4373.
- Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA): the ACA meeting finder, for people raised in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.
Other paths to recovery
- SMART Recovery: a science-based, non-12 Step program. Use the SMART Recovery meeting finder; Westside options have included an in-person meeting in Culver City.
- Recovery Dharma: peer recovery built on Buddhist practice. See the Recovery Dharma meeting list, which includes a West Los Angeles meeting.
- Refuge Recovery: another Buddhist-inspired program. Start at refugerecovery.org.
- LifeRing Secular Recovery: secular peer support. The Southern California page lists an online Los Angeles meeting.
- Celebrate Recovery: a Christian recovery program. Use the Celebrate Recovery group finder.
Meetings for families and friends
- Al-Anon and Alateen: for families and friends of people who drink. Find Al-Anon meetings or Alateen meetings for teens. Southern California has well over a thousand Al-Anon meetings.
- Nar-Anon: for families and friends of people who use drugs. Find a Nar-Anon meeting or call (800) 477-6291.
- NAMI Westside Los Angeles: free family support groups on Zoom for relatives of people living with mental health conditions. See NAMI Westside family support or call the warmline at (424) 293-0645, Spanish (424) 293-0646.
- Blackburn family support group: a free virtual group every other week, led by a licensed therapist from Blackburn Clinical Services and open to any family, whether or not your loved one lives with us. Learn more on our families page.
Westside places that host many meetings
- Westside Alano Club, West Los Angeles: a long-running recovery clubhouse at 11530 W Pico Blvd that hosts AA, ACA and other 12 Step meetings throughout the week. Phone (310) 473-8853. Check the meeting finders above for current times.
- SHARE! Self-Help and Recovery Exchange, Culver City: a peer self-help center at 6666 Green Valley Circle with daily support groups in person, on Zoom or hybrid, including SMART Recovery and Recovery Dharma meetings. Phone (310) 305-8878, shareselfhelp.org.
What to expect at your first meeting
- Meetings are free. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; groups pass a basket for optional contributions.
- Open or closed. Open AA meetings are for anyone interested in recovery, including family and friends. Closed meetings are for people who have a desire to stop drinking.
- You do not have to talk. You do not have to share or reveal anything about yourself. Many people simply listen for their first few meetings.
- Try a few. Every meeting has its own feel. If one does not fit, try another at a different time or place, or a different format such as a speaker, discussion or step study meeting.
Free help lines and resources in Los Angeles County
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential and available 24/7. Press 2 for Spanish, or 1 for veterans.
- LA County Substance Abuse Service Helpline: (844) 804-7500, 24/7 screening and referral to treatment from LA County Public Health. Search treatment programs with the county treatment locator. Treatment at county network providers is free for LA County residents who qualify for Medi-Cal.
- LA County Department of Mental Health 24/7 Help Line: (800) 854-7771.
- SAMHSA National Helpline: (800) 662-4357, free and confidential treatment referral, 24/7, in English and Spanish. Or search licensed programs at FindTreatment.gov.
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741, or HOLA for Spanish. Free and available 24/7.
- 211 LA: dial 211 or (800) 339-6993 for help finding health and social services across the county, any time. 211la.org
- Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips: LA County Public Health runs free Community Health Stations, vending machines stocked with naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips. Find a station on the county map.
- Venice Family Clinic: primary care, behavioral health and substance use treatment, including medication, regardless of ability to pay. Appointments (310) 392-8636, venicefamilyclinic.org.
- Edelman Westside Mental Health Center: the LA County mental health clinic serving the Westside, at 11080 W Olympic Blvd. Phone (310) 966-6500.
For students
- UCLA Collegiate Recovery Program: a recovery lounge and peer meetings for UCLA students in recovery. collegiaterecovery.ucla.edu
- Santa Monica College Psychological Services: confidential counseling and crisis support for SMC students, including recovery support. SMC Center for Wellness and Wellbeing
When meetings are not enough on their own
Meetings are free, and for many people they are the foundation of long-term recovery. Early recovery can also call for more structure: a safe place to live, daily accountability, someone to help with work, money and family, or clinical care. Blackburn offers sober living, mentoring, case management, monitoring and, through Blackburn Clinical Services, therapy and psychiatry. Not sure what level of support fits? Our guide to sober living vs halfway houses vs IOP vs residential treatment explains the options, and our free sobriety calculator helps you track milestones. Call (888) 305-5422 to talk with our team.
Meeting guide questions
Are AA meetings free?
Yes. There are no dues or fees for AA membership. Most groups pass a basket for voluntary contributions, and you never have to give.
Can family members go to AA meetings?
Family members and friends are welcome at open AA meetings. Al-Anon, Nar-Anon and our free family support group are built specifically for families.
Where can I get free naloxone in Los Angeles?
LA County Public Health runs free Community Health Stations, vending machines stocked with naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Find the nearest one on the county’s Community Health Station map.
Are there non-12 Step meetings on the Westside?
Yes. SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery and LifeRing all have meetings in or near West Los Angeles or online. SHARE! in Culver City hosts several of them.
Information on this page was checked in October 2026. Meeting times and services change, so please confirm with each organization. Blackburn Recovery Services is not affiliated with the groups listed here. Spot something out of date? Email info@blackburnrecoveryservices.com.