Alternative Peer Groups
Alternative Peer Groups (APGs) are positive, facilitated, safe, and supportive groups of young people in recovery that do fun, sober, pro-social activities together.
APGs can be a vital part of a young person’s success in recovery. Even more than adults, when young people decide to stop using substances, they face a social dilemma: they need to stop spending time with friends who still use; however, they may not be accepted by peers who have never used. APGs provide a facilitated opportunity to make new friends who are both supportive of recovery and accepting of where youth have been.
Successful APGs result in a new, positive peer-pressure environment that promotes healthy choices.
Youth who participate in APGs also:
- Form a new, positive friend group and community
- Gain experience with how to have fun sober
- Learn new activities they can do on their own as coping skills (creative projects, sports, hobbies, etc.)
- Learn new social skills including conflict resolution in a facilitated, safe environment
- Develop leadership skills and confidence in recovery