Founded in January 2000, the Long Island Recovery Association a grassroots organization of people concerned about the rights of both the suffering addict and the recovering community. We look to bring together recovering addicts and alcoholics, along with families, friends and allies, to advocate for the rights and needs of those affected by the disease of addiction.

Through education and advocacy, we hope to help de-stigmatize alcoholism and other diseases of addiction, achieve treatment parity for addicted persons seeking help and ensure that a compassionate and well-informed understanding of the nature of illnesses of addiction becomes the norm rather than the exception among legislators, institutions, family members and society in general.

LIRA predates the national "Faces and Voices of Recovery" movement. As an initiative of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, (LICADD), LIRA was built on the premise that the recovering community is frequently overlooked and often discounted in matters of public interest because the group has remained mostly invisible to the public eye.

It is estimated that 275,000 Long Island residents have an alcohol or other drug problems. Recent LIRA figures estimate that at least 50,000 people are actively engaged in sustained recovery here on Long Island. LIRA provides a face and adds a voice to a rather large recovery constituency on Long Island .

In addition to individuals in recovery, the membership of LIRA includes family members, political figures, teachers, healthcare and treatment professionals, retired citizens, civil servants, business owners, white- and blue-collar workers, and those interested in a better society in general. At the core of LIRA is a group of passionate, dedicated individuals, leading the drive for equality and recognition. Click here for list of trustees