Petition to be ratified as the Cocaine Anonymous Online Recovery Area

Yes, You Can Start An Online Area

Download the Petition Form To Become An Area

NOTE: An Area seeking recognition by the World Service Conference must submit a completed petition to become and Area. If you cannot provide the information within the space provided, please attach separate documents or sheets as required.

1. Reason or need to become a World Service Conference approved Area:

a) The Opportunity: It is apparent that the growth of modem to modem online recovery will continue to expand from 100s of online groups to thousands of online groups in the coming years, thus the need for more than one Area to effectively serve a growing number of C.A. Groups.

b) The Challenge: Online groups seeking opportunities to grow their membership and meet the challenges and opportunities emerging in the online world will need attentive and responsive service committee structures to maximize C.A. growth and group participation. The C.A. Area structure is designed to fulfill our primary purpose: to carry the C.A. 12 Steps of recovery to the addict who still suffers.

c) The Solution: The ratification of the new, Online Recovery Area, presents a simple, yet effective service committee structure: 1) a website (https://onlinerecoveryarea.org) that is currently attracting over a 1000 visitors a month looking for recovery solutions who are directed to the member groups so that they, the Groups, can do what the C.A. Groups do best, “Carry their message to the addict who still suffers,” thus fulfilling our primary purpose and increasing C.A.’s growth throughout the online world; and 2) a service committee of elected trusted servants who are technologically adept and savvy to the online virtual world of recovery and who are equipped to deliver an online forum to maximize GSR participation at the Group, Area, and World level of service in C.A.

2. Are you a proposed Area in a State, Province or Country that has not been represented at the World Service Conference before? Yes

Name of State, Province or Country: Not Applicable. We’re an online area that circumvents the entire globe.  We have no geographical boundaries. We embrace the “global village” of Cocaine Anonymous and as such, we have no affiliation to any particular country or geographic region.

3. Proposed Area name: Cocaine Anonymous Online Recovery Area | https://onlinerecoveryarea.org

4. If applicable: Attach map of regional geographic division of Area as it now exists. Not Applicable for the Online Recovery Area. NOTE: “The Conference may also recognize Areas whose boundaries do not fit a geographic description – WSM pg 26.”

5. Attach a map and a written description of the proposed division of areas. Not Applicable. The Online Recovery Area boundaries do not fit a physical geographic description but occupies the realm of the virtual. There is no geographical division of Areas, per se because the Areas function entirely online in 24/7 around the world virtual environment.

6. Total population in proposed Area: According to Global drug use statistics & facts 39.5 million people around the world could be considered “problem drug users” or categorized as having a drug use disorder. (https://www.statista.com/topics/7786/global-drug-use/

CA population in proposed Area: 

  1. 12 Steps 4 Hours Workshop Group averages 2400 participants per year with over 16,000 participants in 18 years of service.
  2. TGIF & the Midnight Rounders average 25 to 40 members per week.
  3. The CA Service Sponsorship Group has been of service to over 1000 participants who have participated in various workshop meetings.
  4. 6IX AND SE7EN averages 80+ people per week
  5. Ten & Eleven averages 80 – 100 people per week
  6. Spiritual Cartel averages 120+ daily (840 people per week)
  7. Crossing the River of Denial averages 35 people per week
  8. Pocket Our Pride averages 100 people per month
  9. Keep It Simple averages 80 – 100 people per week
  10. The High Road Group averages 5 – 10 people per week
  11. Spiritual Ignited averages 85 – 90 people per week
  12. Ignited Paradox averages 30 to 40 people per week
  13. Extravagant Promises averages averages 100 people per month
  14. Recovery Movie Matinee Group averages people (25 – 35 per month)
  15. Walking Shoulder to Shoulder averages 40 people per week
  16. Emotional Sobriety averages 30 – 50 people per week
  17. Unshakeable Foundation averages 100 people per week
  18. No Half Measures – averages 45 people per meeting
  19. Cyber Serenity Group – averages 130 people per month
  20. A Common Solution – 10 – 15 people per week
  21. Al Mena – averages 40 – 60 people per week
  22. From Sinners to Saints – 40 – 60 people per week
  23. The Truth, The Light, The Way – 10 – 15  people per week
  24. Into Action Big Book Study – 20 – 30 people per week
  25. Twice Gifted – 20 – 25 people per week
  26. Kilburn Steppas Unity – 15 – 20 people per week

7. Number of CA Groups in proposed Area:  (attach meeting schedule) 26 Groups with 38 meetings per week and 11 H&I meetings as of 2026-04-09.

8. Attach a brief five year history of CA Groups and membership in the proposed Area. The domain https://onlinerecoveryarea.org was registered and its attendant website launched on Sept. 3, 2025. This is our history of joining C.A. Groups:

  1. 12 Steps 4 Hours Workshop Group joined September 3, 2025
  2. The CA Service Sponsorship Group joined September 3, 2025
  3. TGIF & the Midnight Rounders joined September 4, 2025
  4. Keep It Simple joined September 8, 2025
  5. Walking Shoulder to Shoulder joined September 8, 2025
  6. Extravagant Promises joined September 9, 2025
  7. Pocket Our Pride joined September 9, 2025
  8. Ten & Eleven joined September 15, 2025
  9. Recovery Movie Matinee Group joined October 7, 2025
  10. Emotional Sobriety joined October 8, 2025
  11. Ignited Paradox joined October 8, 2025
  12. Spiritual Ignited joined October 8, 2025
  13. Crossing the River of Denial joined October 20, 2025
  14. The High Road Group joined October 30, 2025
  15. Cyber Serenity Group joined November 13, 2025
  16. 6IX AND SE7EN joined November 15, 2025
  17. Spiritual Cartel joined November 15, 2025
  18. Unshakeable Foundation joined December 10, 205
  19. No Half Measures joined January 8, 2026
  20. A Common Solution joined January 16, 2026
  21. Al Mena, Middle East, N. Africa, Africa  joined February 7, 2026
  22. From Sinners to Saints joined February 12, 2026
  23. The Truth, The Light, The Way joined March 10, 2026
  24. Into Action Big Book Study joined March 19, 2026
  25. Twice Gifted joined March 21, 2026
  26. Kilburn Steppas Unity joined April 16, 2026

9. Structure and function of proposed Area:
a) Proposed Area Service Committee meetings: Once every 3 months.
Frequency: 4 times per year (Jan, April, July, Oct)
Number in attendance: 15 – 20

b) Proposed Dist. Service Committee meetings: Zero
Frequency: 0
Number in attendance: Zero

c) No. of DSRs: ) Zero
Describe activities: 0

d) No. of GSRs: 25

Describe activities: Attend Area meets once per quarter. (January, April, July, October) Elections are held in October.

10. Distance and travel time to nearest current Area Service Committee meeting: Not Applicable. We’re accessible via the internet to anyone with a smart phone, computer or tablet.

11. How would the Fellowship benefit by establishing a new Area as opposed to adding more DSRs, creating a new district, or redistricting would accomplish? We believe establishing a new online area will enhance C.A.’s growth and unity, assist communication, and improve our Tradition Five effectiveness.

As C.A. membership continues to grow, we anticipate the formation of new online groups, online districts and online areas coming into existence. The reason for this online expansion and growth is due to a number of factors, including language barriers, time zones, area service structure, safety procedures and new technology advancements.

As the fellowship adage goes: “Resentment and a virtual platform” will lead to the proliferation of new online districts and ultimately new online area to effectively service their member groups.

The Online Recovery Area provides a new and forward looking committee service structure that supports online groups to effectively carry their message to those who suffer from addiction. Lastly, the Online Recovery Area is already up and running and growing to serve the respective needs of its member groups well into the future in unity and service of the C.A. fellowship.

12. If the proposed Area is in a State, Province, or Country which the Fellowship has not been previously established, have you investigated incorporating as a non-profit organization in order to protect the CA name?

We are investigating the possibilities of incorporating the Area.

13. If this Petition to Become an Area is approved, are you prepared to be responsible for all liabilities the fellowship may incur? Are you prepared to pay all applicable sales taxes and file all the necessary State and Federal tax forms as required?

Yes we are.

14. Note any comments or special considerations: The creation of online areas and the service committees that serve the online member groups helps to remove any impediments that suffering addicts may encounter when trying to find the recovery they seek and maximizes C.A. member participation. Barriers to 12 Step recovery that C.A. online meetings can resolve or overcome include, but are not limited to:

  1. Physical disabilities and/or liabilities
  2. Social anxiety, fear of anonymity breaches, reputations, social stigma.
  3. Mobility and transportation issues i.e. no vehicle, can’t drive, no license or vehicle access, city transportation strikes and shutdowns
  4. Old and infirm, i.e. physical weakness and instability, mental insecurities
  5. Financial limitations or constraints
  6. Parents with children or other care-giving needs
  7. Geographical distance i.e nothing local is available
  8. Sickness, health issues, chronic illness or pain
  9. Incarcerated: treatment facilities, institutions, detox, hospital, hospice care
  10. On vacation or on a business trip or just out of the country or city and looking to attend a meeting
  11. Inclement weather conditions: blizzards, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, etc.
  12. City traffic and driving congestion and other urban barriers to an in-person meeting,  i.e. parades, protest & demonstrations.
  13. Pandemics, flu & cold season
  14. Age vulnerabilities and issues, i.e. adolescents, teenagers and young adults.
  15. Travel impediments: flight cancellation or rescheduling, visas, entering a country with travel restrictions, i.e. criminal convictions, medications, passports, entry permits,
  16. Political unrest, wars, riots, curfews, lock-downs, oppressive regimes
  17. In-person meetings can be expensive: i.e. venue and parking costs,  room rent, meeting insurance, damage deposits