History of DRA
(Dual Recovery Anonymous)

Dual Recovery Anonymous™ is an independent, nonprofessional, Twelve Step, self-help membership organization for people with a dual diagnosis.

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History of Dual Recovery Anonymous (Long Version)

Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc. (DRAWS) has a rich history that began in 1989 in Kansas City. The organization was formed out of a vision for dual recovery and a fellowship to carry the message. The first DRA meeting was held in a church setting, with the second meeting taking place in a mental health facility. The goal was to develop a self-help program for dual recovery based on the principles of the Twelve Steps, personal experiences of dual recovery, and principles of personal freedom and choice.

In 1991, DRA began to develop a 4-point program that included Vision & Hope, 12-Steps for Dual Recovery, Meetings & Fellowship, and Unity & Service.

The following year, plans were initiated for developing educational materials. By 1993, DRA was presented in educational materials by the Hazelden Foundation.

That same year, the DRA Central Service Office was established and began receiving calls and letters from people in the U.S. and abroad, requesting DRA literature and meeting information.

In 1994, the first DRA Intergroup was formed in Vancouver, WA, and the publication of the 12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Book) was published. The subsequent year saw the publication of the 12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Workbook), and in 1996, the 12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Video) was released.

In 1997, Vision, the DRA Newsletter of Believable Hope began quarterly editions. The DRA Central Service Office temporarily relocated to Tennessee in 1998, and the DRA Website went online. By 1999, Dual Recovery Anonymous was celebrating its 10th anniversary.

In 2002, DRA incorporated World Network under the name “Dual Recovery Anonymous World Network Inc.” (DRAWS). DRAWS was formed to protect the Founding Principles of Dual Recovery Anonymous to ensure that DRA remains useful to those it serves well into the future. DRAWS also became the guiding service board for the DRA Fellowship as a whole.

Sadly, the Founder of DRA passed away in 2013, at which point Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services lost its way a bit. However, in 2020, Charlie Adams was asked to restart and relaunch Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc. He set up DRA as a non-profit. In 2022, Charlie came across Jon Caldbeck who rebuilt the draonline.org website.

The website was relaunched at the start of February 2023, marking a new chapter in the history of Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc.

Short Version:

Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc. (DRAWS) was established in 1989 in Kansas City with the aim to support individuals with dual recovery. The organization developed a 4-point program based on the principles of the Twelve Steps, personal recovery experiences, and principles of personal freedom and choice. Over the years, DRAWS expanded its reach, developed educational materials, and established an online presence.

In 2002, DRAWS was incorporated to protect the founding principles of Dual Recovery Anonymous and to guide the DRA Fellowship. However, the organization faced a setback with the passing of its founder in 2013.

In 2020, Charlie Adams was tasked with restarting and relaunching DRAWS as a non-profit. This led to a collaboration with Jon Caldbeck in 2022, who rebuilt the draonline.org website. The revamped website was launched in February 2023, marking a new era for Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc.

Vision Statement:

Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Inc. envisions a world where individuals with dual disorders are empowered to achieve dual recovery, prevent relapse, and carry the message of recovery to others. We strive to grow and evolve, extending our reach globally, while maintaining the integrity of our founding vision and core principles.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to provide a robust system of support for our growing Fellowship and to develop DRA’s Network for Unity and Service. We are committed to maintaining the core principles within our Preamble, Twelve Steps, and Twelve Traditions. We aim to support individuals in their journey towards dual recovery, foster the development of DRA groups worldwide, and share the miracles we have experienced through the process of dual recovery in action. We also encourage members to share their stories and experiences, fostering a community of mutual support and understanding.

Dual Recovery Anonymousâ„¢ is an independent, nonprofessional, Twelve Step, self-help membership organization for people with a dual diagnosis.

Our goal is to help men and women who experience a dual illness.

We are chemically dependent, and we are also affected by an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses affect us in all areas of our lives; physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually.

Dual Recovery Anonymousâ„¢ is a Fellowship of men & women who meet to support each other in our common recovery from two No-Fault illnesses: an emotional or psychiatric illness and chemical dependency.

Dual Recovery Anonymousâ„¢ is a 12 Step self-help program that is based on the principals of the Twelve Steps and the experiences of men and women in recovery with a dual diagnosis.

The DRA program helps us recover from both our chemical dependency and our emotional or psychiatric illness by focusing on relapse prevention and actively improving the quality of our lives.

In a community of mutual support, we learn to avoid the risks that lead back to alcohol and drug use as well as reducing the symptoms of our emotional or psychiatric illness.

There are only two requirements for membership:

  1. A desire to stop using alcohol or other intoxicating drugs.
  2. A desire to manage our emotional or psychiatric illness in a healthy and constructive way.

DRA members are encouraged to build a strong personal support network. That network may include support from chemical dependency or mental health treatment facilities, medical or social service professionals, and spiritual or religious assistance in addition to other 12 step or self-help groups.

DRA has no opinion on the way the other groups address dual disorders or dual recovery. We do not offer advice regarding specific forms of treatment for the various types of emotional or psychiatric illnesses.

However, we do share our personal experiences regarding the ways that we have learned to cope with our symptoms by applying the 12 steps in our daily lives.

DRA is a nonprofessional self-help program. There must always be a clear boundary separating the work of DRA from the work of chemical dependency and mental health professionals.

The DRA Preamble and our Twelve Traditions are designed to help guide our Meetings, Groups, Intergroups, and Service Boards to operate in ways that best nurture the recovery of all members of our Fellowship.

Our Traditions are a set of suggestions that help DRA as a whole keep on track to best fulfil our Primary Purpose and maintain our Founding Vision.

DRA’s Program:

The Dual Recovery Anonymous™ approach to dual recovery is based on a simple set of ideas and steps. They are suggestions for recovery rather than a set of rules. They encourage us to find our  own personal recovery, the one that is most meaningful. They are meant to support those of us who wish to bring a spiritual dimension to our dual recovery. The DRA program is worked on a day-by-day basis.

Here are the suggestions for dual recovery:

  • Today, I will be free of alcohol and other intoxicating drugs.
  • Today, I will follow a healthy plan to manage my emotional or psychiatric illness.
  • Today, I will practice the Twelve Steps to the best of my ability.

The primary purpose of DRA is to help one another achieve dual recovery, to prevent relapse, and to carry the message of recovery to others who experience dual disorders.>

The History of Dual Recovery Anonymous:

1989

Kansas City

DRA begins to form out of a vision for both dual recovery and a fellowship to carry the message. The first DRA meeting is held in a church setting, the second meeting in a mental health facility.

The goal is to develop a self-help program for dual recovery based on:

  • Principles of the Twelve Steps.*
  • Personal experience of dual recovery.
  • Principles of personal freedom and choice.
1989
1991

4-Point Program

DRA begins to develop a 4-point program:

  • Vision & Hope
  • 12-Steps for Dual Recovery
  • Meetings & Fellowship
  • Unity & Service.
1991
1992

Plans begin for developing educational materials.

1992
1993

DRA is presented in educational materials by the Hazelden Foundation.

Dual Disorders Recovery Book

  • Dual Recovery Anonymous: A Blueprint (page 221 - 231)
  • Dual Recovery Anonymous; Meeting Format (page 232 - 238)

DRA Central Service Office was established, and began receiving calls and letters from people in the U.S. and abroad, requesting DRA literature and meeting information.

1993
1994

Publication of the 12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Book) published**

First DRA Intergroup formed in Vancouver, WA

1994
1995

Publication of the 12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Workbook) published **

1995
1996

12 Steps and Dual Disorders (Video) released **

1996
1997

Vision, the DRA Newsletter of Believable Hope begins quarterly editions.

Subscriptions $10 per year.

1997
1998

DRA Website goes online.

Today it is a valuable source of information called "DRA Online Resource Center" at http://draonline.org

1998
1999

Dual Recovery Anonymous celebrates 10 years

Medallions, Steps and Traditions banners, and other gift ideas are available.

1999
2000

Plans begin for a unified Group Service Network.

Plans begin for a unified Group Service Network.

2000
2001

Central Office is Named

The Central Service Office is named; DRA World Network Central Office.

Groups begin to form internationally.

The service network becomes a reality; "The DRA Network for Unity & Service" to help groups work together at each level: community, state, regional, national, and international.

2001
2002

DRA incorporates World Network under the name "Dual Recovery Anonymous World Network Inc."

DRA incorporates World Network under the name "Dual Recovery Anonymous World Network Inc." (DRAWS). DRAWS is formed to protect the Founding Principles of Dual Recovery Anonymous to insure that DRA remains useful to those it serves well into the future. DRAWS is also the guiding service board for the DRA Fellowship as a whole.

The DRA Bookstore Online becomes a reality. DRA Books, Recovery Coins, Medallions, Gifts, and Literature available through the DRA Online Resource Center. Proceeds go to help carry the message of DRA.

2002

Please Note:

All of the content in the DRA section of the site, is copyright protected by DRA World Network Inc., and is not in the public domain. The DRA Crest logo is Trademark protected by DRA World Network Inc., and is not in the public domain. Any reprinting or distribution is subject to our Terms of Use and all applicable U.S. and International Copyright and Trademark law.
Twelve-step program - Twelve Traditions

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