If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction in East Tennessee, you’re not alone—and help is closer than you think. In Sevier County alone, the rate of fatal drug overdoses reaches 29 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the state average of 19.3. Behind these statistics are real people, families, and communities searching for hope and healing. The good news? East Tennessee offers a robust network of recovery resources, support groups, and professional treatment programs designed to meet you wherever you are in your recovery journey.
Finding the right support can feel overwhelming when you’re already dealing with the challenges of addiction or watching a loved one struggle with substance use disorders. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to recovery resources and support groups available throughout East Tennessee. Whether you’re taking your first steps toward sobriety, supporting a family member, or looking for additional community connections to overcome addiction, this guide will help you navigate the path forward.
At Restoration House Ministries, we’re committed to supporting recovery throughout the Greater Smoky Mountain communities. Our CARF-accredited facility serves individuals and families in Kodak, Newport, Sevierville, and surrounding areas with evidence-based clinical treatment and faith-based support options for mental health and substance use disorders.
Understanding Your Recovery Options in East Tennessee
Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. The path that works for one person may look completely different for another, and that’s not just okay—it’s expected. East Tennessee offers a diverse array of recovery resources designed to meet different needs, preferences, and stages of recovery from substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
Types of Recovery Support Available:
Recovery resources in our region generally fall into several categories, each serving a unique purpose in the healing process. Peer support groups like AA and NA provide community connection and shared experience without clinical treatment. Professional treatment programs offer medical and therapeutic intervention through outpatient or residential settings at specialized treatment facilities. Crisis services provide immediate help during emergencies or moments of acute need. Community organizations address practical needs like housing, employment, and family support that are essential to sustainable recovery.
Why Local Support Matters:
There’s something powerful about recovering in your own community. Local resources understand the specific challenges facing East Tennessee residents—from the economic realities of our tourism-driven economy to the cultural values that shape how we approach healing. When you choose local support, you’re building connections with people who understand what it’s like to navigate recovery in the Smoky Mountains. You’re creating a support network you can access long-term, and you’re staying connected to the family, job, and community ties that give your recovery meaning and purpose.
Research consistently shows that individuals who engage with both professional treatment and peer support groups achieve better long-term outcomes than those who rely on just one approach. The most effective recovery plans combine multiple types of support, creating a comprehensive safety net that addresses physical, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs for mental and substance use disorders.
Support Groups Available in East Tennessee
Support groups form the backbone of long-term recovery for many individuals. These peer-led meetings provide connection, accountability, and the powerful reminder that you’re not alone in this journey toward overcoming addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous has been helping people achieve and maintain recovery from alcoholism since 1935, and East Tennessee hosts numerous meetings throughout the week. AA follows a 12-step program that emphasizes personal accountability, spiritual growth, and peer support for alcohol use disorder.
Local AA Resources:
- Sevier County AA Hotline: (865) 908-4357
- East Tennessee Intergroup: Visit www.aa.org and use the meeting finder for current schedules
- Meeting Types: Open meetings (anyone can attend), closed meetings (for those with a desire to stop drinking), women’s meetings, men’s meetings, and young people’s meetings
AA meetings are held daily throughout Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Newport, and surrounding communities in TN. Many churches and community centers host regular meetings, and you’ll find options for morning, afternoon, and evening attendance to fit various work schedules.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings
Narcotics Anonymous applies the 12-step principles specifically to drug addiction, creating a welcoming space for anyone struggling with substance use regardless of the specific drug—whether opioid addiction, heroin, methamphetamine, or prescription pain relievers.
Local NA Resources:
- Tennessee Regional Service Office: (615) 227-1053
- NA Meeting Finder: Visit www.na.org for up-to-date meeting schedules
- East Tennessee NA Groups: Multiple meetings weekly in Sevierville, Kodak, Newport, and Knoxville
NA meetings in our area tend to be smaller and more intimate than AA meetings, which many people find helpful when sharing their experiences. The focus is on the disease of addiction rather than specific substances, recognizing that the underlying issues are often similar regardless of what drug someone used.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) offers a science-based alternative to 12-step programs. This approach emphasizes self-empowerment and teaches practical tools for managing addictive behaviors and substance use disorders.
What Makes SMART Different:
SMART Recovery doesn’t require belief in a higher power and focuses on cognitive-behavioral techniques. Meetings teach four key points: building motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts and behaviors, and living a balanced life. This evidence-based approach provides recovery support through structured group sessions.
Local SMART Resources:
- Online Meetings: Available daily through www.smartrecovery.org
- In-Person Options: While SMART meetings are less common in rural East Tennessee, online meetings provide accessible alternatives for individuals seeking treatment
- Knoxville Meetings: Several SMART Recovery meetings meet weekly in Knoxville, approximately 30-40 minutes from Sevierville
Faith-Based Support Groups
For many in East Tennessee, faith plays a central role in recovery. Faith-based support groups integrate spiritual principles with recovery support, offering a path that honors both clinical understanding and spiritual growth for mental health and addiction challenges.
Celebrate Recovery is the most widely available faith-based recovery program in our area, with meetings hosted at numerous churches throughout Sevier County and beyond. This Christ-centered program uses biblical principles alongside the 12 steps, addressing not just addiction but all types of “hurts, habits, and hang-ups.”
At Restoration House Ministries, we offer a unique Faith-Based Discipleship Program that combines structured residential treatment with spiritual mentorship. This program specifically serves men seeking an immersive recovery experience that integrates biblical principles with evidence-based clinical care for substance use and mental health disorders.
Family Support Groups
Addiction affects entire families, not just the individual struggling with substance use. Family support groups provide education, coping strategies, and community for loved ones who care about someone in active addiction or recovery.
Al-Anon serves families and friends of alcoholics, offering support regardless of whether the alcoholic is still drinking or in recovery. Meetings throughout East Tennessee help family members understand they didn’t cause the addiction, can’t control it, and can’t cure it—but they can take care of themselves.
Nar-Anon provides similar support specifically for families affected by drug addiction. These meetings help loved ones set healthy boundaries, process their own emotions, and find hope even in difficult circumstances.
Local Family Support Resources:
- Al-Anon Information: (888) 425-2666 or www.al-anon.org
- Nar-Anon Information: (800) 477-6291 or www.nar-anon.org
- Family Systems Therapy: Professional family counseling is available through Restoration House Ministries and other local providers
Professional Treatment Resources in East Tennessee
While peer support groups are invaluable, many people need professional treatment to safely detox, address co-occurring mental health conditions, or receive intensive therapeutic support. East Tennessee offers various levels of professional care at specialized treatment facilities.
Clinical Treatment Centers
Professional treatment centers provide medical supervision, licensed therapy, and structured programming designed to address the complex nature of addiction and behavioral health disorders.
Restoration House Ministries serves the Greater Smoky Mountain communities from locations in Kodak and Newport, TN. As a CARF-accredited treatment center, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs:
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Structured treatment while you maintain work and family responsibilities
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Evidence-based treatment combining FDA-approved medications with counseling for opioid use disorder
- Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment: Integrated care for addiction and mental health challenges
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one counseling addressing root causes and trauma, including PTSD
- Group Therapy: Peer support within a clinical setting
- Faith-Based Residential Program: Long-term, immersive recovery for men
- Sober Living: Structured housing with 24-hour supportive care
Other Local Treatment Providers:
- Helen Ross McNabb Center: Offers comprehensive mental health services and substance abuse treatment with locations in Sevierville and Newport
- English Mountain Recovery: Provides residential treatment with specialized tracks in Sevierville
- Pathway Healthcare: Focuses on MAT and outpatient services for substance use disorders
- Cherokee Health Systems: Community health provider with behavioral health services in Sevierville and Seymour
Understanding Levels of Care at Treatment Facilities
Professional addiction treatment operates on a continuum, with different levels of intensity appropriate for different situations when seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
Outpatient Treatment allows you to live at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions and groups. This works well for people with stable housing, strong support systems, and mild to moderate addiction severity. Intensive outpatient programs typically meet 9-15 hours per week, while standard outpatient care involves 1-2 hours weekly. These treatment programs help clients maintain their daily responsibilities while receiving professional support.
Residential Treatment provides 24-hour care in a structured environment at a specialized facility. This level is appropriate for severe addiction, lack of stable housing, previous treatment failures, or situations where the home environment makes recovery difficult. Drug and alcohol rehab programs typically last 30-90 days, though some faith-based programs like our Discipleship Program offer longer-term options.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone) or naltrexone (Vivitrol) combined with counseling to treat opioid or alcohol use disorder. MAT reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while you work on the underlying issues. This approach has the strongest evidence base for opioid addiction treatment and significantly reduces overdose risk. MAT is highly effective for individuals struggling with heroin, prescription pain relievers, and other opioid substances.
Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Approximately 50% of people with substance use disorders also experience mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Treating both conditions simultaneously—called dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders treatment—dramatically improves recovery outcomes. The center for mental health and addiction at Restoration House Ministries specializes in this integrated approach.
At Restoration House Ministries, our co-occurring disorders treatment integrates addiction and mental health care rather than treating them separately. This holistic approach recognizes that these conditions influence each other and require coordinated treatment from behavioral health practitioners and treatment programs that understand the complexity of mental and substance use disorders.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma alongside substance use, seeking treatment that addresses both issues is essential. Treating only the addiction while ignoring mental health concerns significantly increases relapse risk. Our treatment services address the full spectrum of behavioral health needs.
Crisis and Immediate Help Resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, help is available right now. These confidential resources provide immediate support.
24/7 Crisis Hotlines and Helplines
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate support during a mental health or substance use crisis. This national helpline connects you with trained counselors who can provide support, resources, and intervention. This confidential and anonymous resource is available 24/7.
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) provides free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing substance use disorders. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) operates this confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
Tennessee REDLINE: 1-800-889-9789 offers 24/7 crisis intervention, information, and referrals for substance abuse and mental health concerns specific to Tennessee residents. This is a confidential helpline for individuals seeking treatment.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text message, available 24/7.
FindTreatment.gov: Visit the official gov website at www.findtreatment.gov to locate treatment facilities and practitioners in your area. This SAMHSA-operated resource helps you find treatment services based on your location and needs.
Emergency Services and Prevention
If someone is experiencing overdose symptoms—unconscious, not breathing normally, blue lips or fingertips, unresponsive—call 911 immediately. Tennessee’s Good Samaritan Law provides limited immunity from prosecution for drug possession when calling for help during an overdose emergency. This prevention measure saves lives.
Overdose Prevention: Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses and is available without prescription at most Tennessee pharmacies. Having naloxone on hand if you or a loved one uses opioids can save lives. This prevention tool is essential for anyone at risk of opioid overdose from heroin, prescription pain relievers, or other opioids.
Walk-In Assessment and Screening Centers
Many treatment centers, including Restoration House Ministries, offer walk-in assessments or same-day appointments for individuals seeking help. Don’t wait for a crisis—if you’re ready to explore treatment options and start your recovery journey, call (865) 352-1274 to speak with our team about scheduling a confidential screening and assessment.
Community Organizations and Practical Support Resources
Recovery involves more than stopping substance use—it requires rebuilding your life and overall well-being. These community organizations address practical needs that support long-term recovery, including housing, employment, and health treatment.
Local Health Departments and Behavioral Health Services
The Sevier County Health Department provides various services including mental health support, behavioral health services, case management, and connections to treatment resources. They can help navigate insurance coverage, including TennCare (Medicaid) enrollment for substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- Location: 755 Middle Creek Road, Sevierville, TN 37862
- Phone: (865) 453-5744
The Cocke County Health Department serves Newport and surrounding areas with similar mental health services and substance use disorder treatment referrals.
- Location: 360 E. Main Street, Newport, TN 37821
- Phone: (423) 623-8491
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Employment challenges often accompany addiction and early recovery. Vocational rehabilitation programs help you develop job skills, find employment, and maintain stable work—all critical components of sustained recovery and well-being.
Restoration House Ministries Vocational Rehabilitation offers customized job search assistance, skill-building, and career guidance integrated with your recovery program. This service helps address one of the most common barriers to sustained sobriety—financial instability. Our programs help individuals seeking to rebuild their professional lives after drug addiction treatment.
Tennessee Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation provides similar services throughout the state for individuals with disabilities, including substance use disorders.
Housing Assistance and Sober Living
Stable housing is foundational to recovery and overall well-being. If you’re struggling with housing instability:
- Recovery Trail offers sober living homes for men in Sevierville
- Restoration House Ministries Sober Living provides structured residential housing with 24-hour supportive care and clinician monitoring
- Sevier County CARES connects residents with various support services, including housing assistance
- United Way of Sevier County offers referrals to housing resources: (865) 453-9793
Safe, stable housing provides the foundation individuals need to focus on recovery from substance use and mental health conditions.
Transportation Assistance
Getting to treatment, support groups, and appointments can be challenging without reliable transportation. East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA) provides public transportation services throughout Sevier County, including specialized transportation for individuals with disabilities or medical needs who are seeking treatment.
How to Choose the Right Support for Your Recovery Journey
With so many options available, how do you decide which resources are right for you or your loved ones? Understanding your specific needs helps you find treatment that works.
Assessing Your Needs
Start by honestly evaluating several factors to find help that matches your situation:
Addiction Severity: How long have you been using? Can you stop safely on your own, or do you need medical detox? Have you tried to quit before? Severe, long-term addiction or previous treatment failures typically indicate the need for professional treatment at a specialized facility rather than support groups alone.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions: Do you experience depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms like PTSD, or other behavioral health challenges? If so, you need integrated treatment that addresses both substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously. Centers provide the most effective care when they treat the whole person.
Support System: Do you have family or loved ones who support your recovery? Is your living situation conducive to sobriety, or are you surrounded by triggers and active substance use? Weak support systems or unhealthy environments often necessitate residential treatment at a dedicated facility.
Practical Considerations: Can you take time away from work and family for residential treatment, or do you need outpatient care? What do your insurance plans cover? Do you have transportation to attend programs? These practical factors influence which treatment programs are accessible to you.
Personal Preferences: Do faith and spirituality play an important role in your life? Would you prefer a secular or faith-integrated approach? Do you respond better to 12-step philosophy or alternative frameworks? The right treatment center will align with your values and preferences.
Questions to Ask Treatment Providers
When evaluating professional treatment programs and addiction treatment facilities, seek clear, honest answers:
- What is your treatment philosophy? Understand whether they follow 12-step, faith-based, cognitive-behavioral, or other approaches to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- What credentials do your staff hold? Look for licensed therapists, certified addiction counselors, medical professionals, and behavioral health practitioners.
- How do you address co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders? Ensure they offer integrated treatment, not just addiction-focused care.
- What does a typical day look like? Understand the structure, schedule, and what you’ll actually be doing in drug rehab or other treatment programs.
- What is your approach to medication-assisted treatment? Some programs embrace MAT for opioid use disorder while others don’t—make sure their philosophy aligns with your needs.
- What insurance plans do you accept? Get clear information about coverage and out-of-pocket costs. (Restoration House Ministries accepts most major insurance plans including TennCare/Medicaid.)
- What aftercare and alumni support do you provide? Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does—ongoing recovery support is essential.
- Are you licensed and accredited? State licensure is mandatory; national accreditation (like CARF) indicates commitment to quality standards in treatment services.
- How do you ensure confidential treatment? Understanding privacy protections helps you feel secure when seeking treatment.
For transparent answers to these questions about our addiction treatment programs, contact us directly at (865) 352-1274.
Understanding Insurance Plans and Payment Options
The cost of treatment shouldn’t be a barrier to getting help. Most insurance plans, including TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid) and Medicare, cover substance abuse and mental health treatment. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurance companies to cover addiction treatment similarly to other medical conditions.
Steps to Understand Your Coverage:
- Call your insurance company and ask specifically about substance abuse and mental health treatment benefits, including what levels of care are covered and any pre-authorization requirements.
- Contact treatment providers directly. Most facilities, including Restoration House Ministries, offer free insurance verification. We’ll contact your insurance company and explain exactly what your benefits cover for drug addiction treatment and mental health services.
- Ask about financial assistance. Many non-profit treatment centers offer sliding scale fees or payment plans for those without insurance or with high out-of-pocket costs.
- Explore state-funded options. Tennessee offers state-funded treatment slots for residents who qualify based on income and need help accessing care.
Don’t let uncertainty about costs prevent you from reaching out. Call potential treatment providers and be honest about your financial situation—they can help you identify options to start your recovery journey.
Building Your Comprehensive Recovery Support Network
The most successful recovery journeys combine multiple types of support. Rather than choosing between professional treatment and peer support groups, consider how different resources work together to help you overcome addiction and maintain long-term recovery.
The Power of Integrated Support
Research consistently shows that individuals who participate in both professional treatment and peer support groups achieve better outcomes than those who use only one approach. Professional treatment provides the clinical expertise, medical management, and intensive therapy needed to address the root causes of addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. Peer support groups offer ongoing community, accountability, and the lived experience of others who understand your recovery journey.
An Effective Recovery Plan Might Include:
- Professional treatment (outpatient or residential) at a qualified treatment center to address acute needs, learn coping skills, and treat substance use and mental health disorders
- Regular attendance at AA, NA, SMART, or faith-based support groups for ongoing peer recovery support
- Individual counseling to continue working on underlying issues after completing formal treatment
- Family involvement through family therapy or family support groups for loved ones
- Practical support like vocational rehabilitation, sober living, or case management
- Spiritual practices if faith is important to you, whether through faith-based recovery programs or your personal religious community
- Healthy activities that support wellness and well-being—exercise, hobbies, volunteer work, or nature therapy
- Screening and monitoring to track progress and identify early warning signs
The Role of Family Involvement
Family members and loved ones aren’t just bystanders in the recovery process—they can be powerful allies or, unintentionally, obstacles. Involving family in treatment through family therapy or education programs helps everyone understand addiction as a disease, learn healthy communication patterns, and establish boundaries that support recovery rather than enabling continued substance use.
At Restoration House Ministries, we offer Family Systems Therapy that brings family members into the healing process. We’ve seen countless families rebuild trust, improve communication, and create home environments that support lasting sobriety and behavioral health.
If your loved one is seeking treatment, consider attending Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings for yourself. These groups help you understand your own role, process your emotions, and take care of your well-being regardless of whether your loved one chooses recovery.
Creating a Sustainable Long-Term Recovery Plan
Early recovery requires intensive support, but long-term sobriety is a marathon, not a sprint. As you progress in your recovery journey, your support needs will evolve. The key is maintaining connection even when you’re doing well.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Stopping all support once you feel better. Many relapses occur when people discontinue therapy, stop attending groups, or drift away from their recovery community because they feel “cured.”
- Isolating during difficult times. When life gets stressful, your first instinct might be to withdraw. This is exactly when you most need your support network and recovery resources.
- Neglecting co-occurring mental health needs. If you have depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other behavioral health conditions, continuing mental health treatment is as important as maintaining addiction recovery.
Building Sustainability and Long-Term Recovery Support:
- Make support group attendance a regular habit, even when you don’t feel like you “need” it
- Maintain relationships with people from treatment or support groups
- Continue counseling even after formal treatment ends, moving to less frequent sessions
- Develop a relapse prevention plan that identifies your triggers and specific steps to take if you experience cravings or slip
- Build a life worth staying sober for through meaningful work, relationships, hobbies, and purpose
- Regular screening to monitor your mental health and substance use patterns
Taking Your Next Step Toward Recovery
If you’ve read this far, you’re already taking an important step—gathering information and exploring your options to find help. That takes courage, and it matters.
Recovery is possible. Thousands of people throughout East Tennessee are living proof that addiction doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With the right combination of professional treatment, peer recovery support, family involvement, and personal commitment, you can build the life you want and deserve. You can start your journey today.
Your Options Right Now
If you’re in crisis: Call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911 if you’re in immediate danger. These confidential resources provide immediate help.
If you’re ready to explore treatment: Contact Restoration House Ministries at (865) 352-1274 for a free, confidential assessment. We’ll discuss your situation, explain your options, verify your insurance plans, and help you determine the best path forward to start your recovery journey. Our team is here to answer questions, not to pressure you into anything. We provide confidential screening and treatment services.
If you’re not sure you’re ready for treatment: That’s okay. Start by attending a support group meeting—AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery. Just show up and listen. You don’t have to share or commit to anything. See what resonates with you as you consider seeking treatment.
If you’re supporting a loved one: Reach out to Al-Anon or Nar-Anon for your own support. Consider calling us to discuss how to help your loved one while taking care of yourself. Enabling and codependency are real challenges, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. We can help you find resources.
If you need immediate resources: Visit FindTreatment.gov, the official SAMHSA website, to locate treatment facilities, practitioners, and treatment programs in your area. This confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders provides comprehensive information about available treatment services.
Treatment Services at Restoration House Ministries
We’re here to serve the Greater Smoky Mountain communities with compassionate, evidence-based care that honors both clinical excellence and spiritual growth for mental health and addiction recovery. Our CARF-accredited treatment center offers comprehensive addiction treatment programs:
- Free assessments and screening to determine the right level of care
- Insurance verification to understand your coverage and insurance plans
- Flexible treatment options from intensive outpatient to residential programs
- Specialized programs for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, DUI requirements, and faith-based recovery
- Ongoing recovery support through alumni services and aftercare planning
- Medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and alcohol addiction
- Professional counseling from licensed behavioral health practitioners
- Supportive housing with 24-hour clinical monitoring
Remember This
You didn’t choose addiction, but you can choose recovery. The statistics about overdose rates and substance use disorders in our community are sobering, but they don’t have to define your story. Behind every person who achieves lasting recovery is a moment when they decided to reach out for help and find treatment—just like you’re doing right now by reading this guide to recovery resources.
The resources are here. The support is available. Treatment facilities throughout East Tennessee stand ready to help. Professional practitioners and treatment programs that understand substance abuse and mental health are waiting to support you. The only question is: what’s your next step?
We’re here when you’re ready to start your recovery journey. Call (865) 352-1274 today to find help and overcome addiction. Our confidential treatment services can help you or your loved ones begin the path to lasting recovery and improved well-being.