National Methadone ClinicsGoing to Meetings on Medication
Methadone and buprenorphine are recognized treatments for opioid use disorder. Taking them does not stop you from attending a support meeting.
SMART Recovery says it has welcomed people using legally prescribed medication at its meetings since it began.
In twelve-step fellowships, each group is self-governing. One A.A. or N.A. meeting may discuss medication quite differently from another across town.
- Ask the group contact or area service office about a meeting's attitude toward medication.
- Some meeting lists mark meetings as welcoming to people on medication; check for that label.
- Your medication is private. Sharing about it is your choice.
- If a meeting feels unwelcoming, another group or format may suit you better.
Keep Your Prescriber in the Loop
Changes to a prescribed medication should only be made with the person who prescribes it. This page does not give medical advice.
How the Groups Differ
Medication for opioid use disorder and support meetings can work side by side. This page covers how to find a meeting in Kentucky where you feel at ease while taking methadone or buprenorphine.
Groups differ in style as well as approach, so trying more than one is common.
- SMART Recovery is a secular program for any addiction. Meetings teach practical tools for managing urges and changing habits, and it also runs Family & Friends meetings.
- Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) is a twelve-step fellowship for people who want to stop using any drug, alcohol included. Like A.A., it has a spiritual basis.
- Nar-Anon Family Groups support people whose relative or friend uses drugs, in a twelve-step format.
- Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a twelve-step fellowship for anyone who wants to stop drinking. It is spiritual rather than religious, and members define a higher power in their own way.
- Al-Anon Family Groups are for people affected by someone else's drinking, such as partners, parents and adult children. Alateen serves teenagers.
- Recovery Dharma uses meditation and Buddhist principles in peer-led meetings, and members do not need to hold any belief in a god.
- Refuge Recovery is a mindfulness-based program rooted in Buddhist practice, for any addiction.
- Celebrate Recovery is a Christian program hosted by churches, open to people dealing with addiction and other life problems.
Where to Look Up Meetings in Kentucky
Peer support groups and mutual-aid programs run their own meetings. The links below go to each organization's official pages for Kentucky, where you can search for meetings. We do not list, copy or vouch for individual meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous
A peer fellowship for people who want to stop drinking.
Narcotics Anonymous
A peer fellowship for people who want to stop using drugs.
SMART Recovery
A science-informed, self-empowering program with in-person and online meetings.
Al-Anon Family Groups
A peer fellowship for relatives and friends of people with a drinking problem.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
A peer fellowship for relatives and friends of people with a drug problem.
Recovery Dharma
A peer-led program that draws on Buddhist practices and principles.
Refuge Recovery
A mindfulness-based recovery community that draws on Buddhist practices.
Celebrate Recovery
A Christ-centered recovery program run through local churches.
National Methadone Clinics is an independent directory. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Narcotics Anonymous World Services, SMART Recovery, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Nar-Anon Family Groups, Recovery Dharma, Refuge Recovery World Services, Celebrate Recovery, or any other fellowship or support organisation named on this page, and none of them has reviewed or approved this page. Each link goes to the organisation's own official page, which controls its meeting information. Meetings move, close and change, so confirm the time and place with the source before you go. Links in this section are editorial. They are not paid, sponsored or referral placements, and no treatment provider can pay to be added to or reordered within this section. Support meetings are not a substitute for professional treatment.
If you or someone else is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For treatment referral and information, SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357, free, confidential and open 24 hours a day.
What Happens at a Meeting
Most meetings last about an hour. Someone opens the meeting, there may be a short reading, and then people take turns sharing or a speaker talks.
Meeting finders usually say whether a meeting is open to anyone or closed to people who want to stop drinking or using themselves.
Video and phone meetings follow a similar pattern and can be a low-pressure way to see what a meeting is like.
- Listening without sharing is common, especially at first.
- First names only is the norm.
- There are no dues or fees; any collection is voluntary.
- It is fine to slip in quietly and leave when you need to.
If a Court Requires Meetings
Courts, probation and diversion programs in Kentucky and elsewhere may set a number of meetings to attend. The rules come from your case, not from the groups.
Twelve-step groups such as A.A. and N.A. keep no attendance records for courts. Some meeting chairs will sign a sheet you provide; others decline, and online groups each have their own approach.
- Get the requirement in writing: which groups qualify, how many meetings and the deadline.
- Confirm the form of proof your officer accepts before you start.
- Carry your own attendance sheet and keep a copy of each signed page.
- Ask your officer what to do if a group will not sign.
Not Legal Advice
Only your court or probation officer can tell you whether a meeting counts toward your requirement.
Meetings Plus Treatment
Support meetings help many people stay on track, but they are not treatment. They do not provide medical care, medication or a treatment plan.
If you or someone close to you needs detox, medication or a structured program, a treatment provider can assess which level of care fits. Many people go to meetings during and after treatment.
This site lists methadone clinics in Kentucky. See the map and city pages below, or call the number on this page to talk through options.
This number connects to our central helpline, not directly to a listed facility.
Search and Map Facilities in Kentucky
Press Search to list facilities in Kentucky, or type a city or ZIP code.
Listed Methadone Clinics in Kentucky
These cities in Kentucky have facilities listed on this site.
Support Meeting FAQs for Kentucky
Do I need to stop my medication to attend?
No. Meetings do not ask you to stop a prescribed medication. Any change should be decided with your prescriber, not at a meeting.
Should I go to treatment or to meetings?
Many people do both. A treatment provider can assess what care you need, and meetings can support you along the way.
What if I am not spiritual?
You have options. SMART Recovery uses practical, non-spiritual tools, and many twelve-step members interpret the higher power idea in their own way, or not at all.
Do online meetings count for a court order?
That depends on your court or probation officer. Check with them, and ask how an online meeting can be verified.
How do I know if a meeting is open?
Meeting finders usually label each meeting as open or closed. Open meetings welcome visitors; closed meetings are for people who want to stop drinking or using themselves.
Where can relatives get support?
Family groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon meet in person and online, and open twelve-step meetings also welcome visitors.