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: The Online Recovery Area provides an alternative Area service committee structure to online groups who want to create the fellowship they crave. The Online Recovery Area provides a forum for online groups seeking opportunities to grow their membership through modem-to-modem recovery and meet the challenges and emerging opportunities presenting themselves in the online recovery world. The Online Recovery Area has a simple service structure: to create a website that attracts suffering addicts online and direct those website visitors to Area’s member groups so that the C.A. Groups can do what the C.A. Groups do best—that is, “Carry its message to the addict who still suffers” (Tradition Five). Moreover, the ratification of a new CA Online Area would signify to other online groups around the world that, “Yes, You Can” create your online area and, thus offer a choice of online service structures. Currently the Online Service Area (OSA) has been the only C.A. online Area available for online groups who are looking to be part of an online committee service structure. The Online Recovery Area offers another online choice.
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 current C.A. 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:
- 12 Steps 4 Hours Workshop Group averages 2400 participants per year with over 15,000 participants in 18 years of service.
- TGIF & the Midnight Rounders average 35 to 40 members per week and has 251 signed-up members.
- The CA Service Sponsorship Group has 78 signed-up members members with over 1000 participants who have participated in various workshop meetings hosted by the C.A. Service Sponsorship Group – weekly meetings average 5 – 6 per participants
- 6IX AND SE7EN averages 80+ people per week
- Ten & Eleven averages 80 – 100 people per week
- Spiritual Cartel averages 120+ daily (840 people per week)
- Crossing the River of Denial averages 35 people per week
- Pocket Our Pride averages 100 people per month
- Keep It Simple averages 80 – 100 people per week
- The High Road Group averages 5 – 10 people per week
- Spiritual Ignited averages 85 – 90 people per week
- Ignited Paradox averages 30 to 40 people per week
- Extravagant Promises averages averages 100 people per month
- Recovery Movie Matinee Group averages people (25 – 35 per month)
- Women in Recovery averages 15 people per week
- Walking Shoulder to Shoulder averages 40 people per week
- Emotional Sobriety averages 30 – 50 people per week
- Unshakeable Foundation averages 100 people per week
- Cyber Serenity Group averages 6 visitors per day (180 per month)
- No Half Measures – averages 45 people per meeting
- Cyber Serenity Group – averages 130 people per month
- A Common Solution – 10 – 15 people per week
7. Number of CA Groups in proposed Area: (attach meeting schedule) 21 Groups with 30 meetings per week as of 2026-01-16
8. Attach a brief five year history of CA Groups and membership in the proposed Area.
- 12 Steps 4 Hours Workshop Group joined September 3, 2025
- The CA Service Sponsorship Group joined September 3, 2025
- TGIF & the Midnight Rounders joined September 4, 2025
- Keep It Simple joined September 8, 2025
- Walking Shoulder to Shoulder joined September 8, 2025
- Extravagant Promises joined September 9, 2025
- Pocket Our Pride joined September 9, 2025
- Ten & Eleven joined September 15, 2025
- Recovery Movie Matinee Group joined October 7, 2025
- Emotional Sobriety joined October 8, 2025
- Ignited Paradox joined October 8, 2025
- Spiritual Ignited joined October 8, 2025
- Crossing the River of Denial joined October 20, 2025
- Women in Recovery joined October 27, 2025
- The High Road Group joined October 30, 2025
- Cyber Serenity Group joined November 13, 2025
- 6IX AND SE7EN joined November 15, 2025
- Spiritual Cartel joined November 15, 2025
- Unshakeable Foundation joined December 10, 205
- No Half Measures joined January 8, 2026
- A Common Solution joined January 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: 21
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.Reason for this online expansion and growth is due to a number of factors, including language barriers, time zones, area service structure, safety procedures or new technology advancements. As the adage goes: “Resentment and a virtual platform” will lead to the proliferation of new online areas. The Online Recovery Area will provides a new and forward looking committee service structure that support online groups to effectively carry the C.A. message to those who suffer from addiction. Lastly, the Online Recovery Area can serve the respective needs of its member groups well into the future – modem to modem—in Unity and Service and growth 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 a suffering addict may encounter when trying to find the recovery they seek. Barriers to 12 Step recovery that online meetings can resolve include, but are not limited to:
- Physical disabilities and/or liabilities
- Social Anxiety
- Mobility and transportation issues i.e. no vehicle, can’t drive, no licence or access to a vehicle
- Old and infirm, i.e. physical weakness, instability, and mental insecurity
- Financial limitations on constraints
- Parents with children or other care-giving needs
- Geographical distance (nothing local is available)
- Sickness and health issues
- Incarcerated, in a treatment facilities, institution or detox, hospital, hospice, etc.
- On vacation or on a business trip or just out of the country or city
- Weather Conditions: inclement weather, blizzards, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, flooding, etc.
- City traffic/driving congestion
- Pandemics, Flu & Cold Season, etc.
- In-person rooms can be physically threatening or dangerous i.e. predators, criminals, drug dealers, etc.
- Age issues, adolescents, teenagers and young adults