Frequently Asked Questions

1) How is MAAR funded? The Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs (MASAP) has a contract with the Maine Office of Substance Abuse (DHHS) for the support of this program. MAAR also receives funding from membership dues and fund-raising efforts through MASAP's 501(c)3 organization, the Maine Behavioral Health Foundation.

2) Is MAAR a state department or agency? It is not; MAAR is a community-based program that serves as a statewide presence and voice for recovering people. their families, and recovery allies.

3) How can MAAR members talk openly about their recoveries without violating 12 step principles of anonymity? Please read this brochure

4) It’s really not safe for me to be open about my recovery. Do I have to give up my anonymity when I join MAAR? MAAR has many members that support our work behind the scenes, through financial contributions, participation in event planning, or by volunteering and attending MAAR events. Your picture or written comments will not be used without your consent. MAAR members are both people in recovery and people who support recovery.

5) If I join MAAR, how can I be involved? Once you are on MAAR's mailing list, you will receive news about upcoming activities. You can join other MAAR members to help plan any of these or work as a volunteer when they occur. MAAR also sponsors the Maine Recovery Communities Coalition which meets monthly to plan community recovery events and to create peer support programs that help people with recovery. See the other programs listed on the left side of this page and click here for information about the Coalition.

6) Does it really make a difference when people are openly visible in their communities about their recovery? Think for a moment about the negative ways that addiction is thought of in our culture; what you see in the media and how you hear others speak about 'addicts' or 'alcoholics'. MAAR members work to portray recovery in the positive light it deserves. We know that millions of recovering Americans live quietly in the same culture with restored lives, sharing the same daily experiences as everyone around them. It is crucial that this other side of the addiction story gets added to the public perception, to change the hearts and minds of those who don't know. This lessens the stigma and discrimination faced by recovering people and extends the hope of recovery to those who need to know that recovery is possible.

7) What are my rights as a recovering person?

Know Your Rights Click here
You can vote for leaders who support recovery! Click here for information about Recovery Voices Count
Addiction Recovery Bill of Rights campaign Click here for details at Faces & Voices of Recovery website and read the publication by clicking here

Rally to support recovery at The Maine Governor's residence!