SELF-HELP, SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY

Help for individual problems for anyone through hotlines, counseling, peer group aid, advocacy, and other personal support; some services/support focus on specific groups (social workers or veterans, for example); groups not included in other categories may find themselves listed here.

12-Step Recovery Programs
Self-help programs based on AA's (Alcoholics Anonymous) twelve steps of recovery. Fellowships of women and men help each other to recover from addictions, the effects of additions, and/or codependency. The programs have no dues or fees. They are usually open to anyone; some may be limited by gender, age, or in other ways. See phone numbers below or Support Groups in Maine listing (below) or call local hotline (below) or information resources (see Information and Referral) for specific times/places.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):  800-737-6237 (Portland), 888-762-3739 (Bangor)
Al-Anon: 800-498-1844
Codependents Anonymous: 800-204-2803
Debtors Anonymous: 800-204-2803
Gamblers Anonymous: 774-4357, 800-204-2803
Narcotics Anonymous: 800-974-0062
Overeaters Anonymous: 774-4357,800-204-2803
Sex/Love Addicts Anonymous: 774-4357, 800-204-2803
Smokers Anonymous: 774-4357, 800-204-2803
Other 12-step Groups: 774-4357, 800-204-2803

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)
78 Portland St.
Portland, ME 04101
csomaine@juno.com

Al-Anon--Maine LVC (Families/Friends of Alcoholics)
PO Box 1173
Biddeford, ME 04005

Narcotics Anonymous--Southern Maine Area Service Center
PO Box 5309
Portland, ME 04101

Board Network, The
400 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
874-1000
Helps nonprofit groups to prepare board members of their organization by giving training sessions. Works primarily in the Portland area.

Catholic Charities Maine--See Family Services

Catholic Charities Maine Counseling Services
562 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
775-5671 Fax 871-1243
counselinfo@ccmaine.org
www.ccmaine.org
Gary Chandler
Offering individual, family, and group counseling for those experiencing difficulty with alcohol and/or drugs and those affected by another person's use.  Fees are based on income eligibility.

Crisis and Information Hotline--Statewide
888-568-1112 (Statewide Hotline Number)
Maine has one crisis and information number for anyone in the state, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is for youth and adults. Services available include counseling, abuse issues, suicide prevention, trauma, and referral to community services. In addition, local mental health agencies may provide special services to youth (see next listing). The numbers in the next listing are an alternate to the statewide hotline above. Calling either the statewide number (above) or local (below) works.

Crisis and Information Hotlines--Youth and Adults
Each hotline provides information to youth under 18 (up to 20 if still in school). Information may include crisis support or counseling, long term living, and community services. Some numbers serve youth only, most serve youth and adults.

800-660-8500
(York County)
Sponsor: Crisis Response Services
409 Alfred St., Park 111
Biddeford, ME 04005
www.counselingservices.org

774-TALK
(Cumberland County)
Sponsor: Ingraham Volunteers
PO Box 1868
Portland, ME 04104
www.ingraham.org

783-4680, 888-568-1112
(Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties)
Sponsor: Tri-County Mental Health Services
484 Main St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

800-400-2506
(Kennebec and Somerset Counties)
Sponsor: Crisis and Counseling
32 Winthrop St.
Augusta, ME 04330
626-3448 (office)

800-540-2072
(Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties)
Sponsor: Midcoast Mental Health Center
12 Union St.
Rockland, ME 04841
594-2541 (office)

800-499-9130
(Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties)
Sponsor: Youth Crisis Stabilization
42 Cedar St., PO Box 425
Bangor, ME 04402
947-0366 (office)

800-432-7805
(Aroostook County)
Sponsor: Aroostook Mental Health Center
1 Vaughn Place
Caribou, ME 04736
498-6431 (office)

Friends and Families of Prisoners and Probationers
272 Turkey Farm Rd.
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-2437
Support group for anyone with a friend or family member in the criminal justice system now or in the past.

HelpNet
RR 2 Box 7162
Carmel, ME 04419
848-2433
info@ptfolkschool.org
http://www.ptfolkschool.org/helpnet
Offers free or minimal cost services to nonprofit groups in navigating the internet, including advice on using email and the web, software problems, getting computer hardware, desktop publishing, and technology planning. Sponsors meetings, workshops, and an email discussion list.

Ingraham Volunteers Hotline
PO Box 1868
Portland, ME 04104
774-HELP (Hotline), 874-1055  Fax: 774-5901
www.ingraham.org
Phone information especially for Cumberland County and sometimes other parts of Maine. Offers 12-step support group referrals, crisis counseling and intervention with 24/7 hotline with TTY. Special attention to youth and those with mental illness.

Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery
8 Mulliken Ct.
Augusta, ME 04330
621-8118 fax 621-8362
rblauer@masap.org
http://www.masap.org
Alliance of individuals striving to serve as an empowered voice for those in recovery from substance abuse addictions. Public education on the recovery process to the community and government officials.

Maine Association of Nonprofits
565 Congress St. #301
Portland, ME 04101
871-1885  Fax: 780-0346
manp@nonprofitmaine.org
www.nonprofitmaine.org
John Walker
An association of over 500 member organizations who cooperate to improve each organization and the whole nonprofit sector.  Our vital work includes advocacy, cost savings programs, education, and networking.

Maine Coast Solar Bares
PO Box 1464
Auburn, ME 04211
mcsbs@yahoo.com
A family-oriented, clothing optional, Naturist/Nudist organization. We meet monthly and have special events. Associated with the AANR and The Naturist Association.

Maine Time Dollar Network--See Community Development

Maine Volunteer Connection
PO Box 372
Augusta, ME 04330
287-8933
http://www.volunteermaine.org
Enhances, promotes, and coordinates volunteerism across Maine.  We respond to community needs through referral services, training, advocacy, project development, and volunteer recognition.

Mental Health Programs and Services--See Health and Healing--Mental Health for a list of providers throughout the state.

Miracles & Attitudinal Healing
30 Wilbur Dr.
Hampden, ME 04444
We study a Course in Miracles which teaches radical forgiveness and how to heal our relationship with ourselves and with others.  The focus in on applying this thought system to our lives, and shifting our attitudes which transform our lives.  Call for meeting schedule at Silo 7 Bookstore (942-5590) in Bangor.

National Association of Social Workers, Maine Chapter
PO Box 5065
Augusta, ME 04332
622-7592 Fax: 623-4860
NASW99Me@aol.com
Kimberly Collins
The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.  Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of the people they serve.

Neighborcare
PO Box 1122
Blue Hill, ME 04614
374-2273 
maggie@downeast.net
http://heartsongbooks.com/neighbor.html
A joyful band of volunteers offering free-of-charge health-related assistance to neighbors in 13 towns on the Blue Hill peninsula and beyond who fall between the cracks of the health care system.  See our website for our story!  Founded in 1995.

Northern Maine Chapter of Dowsers - American Society of Dowsers
881 Ohio St., PO Box 1446
Bangor, ME 04402
942-0214 
Albert Bean
We meet every 3rd Saturday (except December) at 1 pm to hear speakers and discuss dowsing (a technique for strengthening intuition) and other metaphysical topics.

Parents of Murdered Children
9 Constitution Road
Kennebunk, ME 04043
985-0805, 888-959-0805
www.pomc.com/maine
Debbie O'Brien
A self-help organization dedicated to the aftermath and prevention of murder to one's children or loved ones and to anyone who experiences a loss from murder. Part of a national organization; meets the 4th Sunday of each month at MaineGeneral Hospital, Augusta, noon-3 PM.

Phone Help
PO Box 558
Machias, ME 04654
255-6904 (Administration), 888-568-1112 (hotline)
Provides crisis intervention and stabilization to persons over age 18 calling from Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Washington Counties.  Information and referral to persons experiencing severe emotional distress or in crisis due to mental illness, developmental disability, or substance abuse.

Project GRACE--See Low Income

Seafarer's Friend Society
#2 Portland Fish Pier
Portland, ME 04101
871-7699  Fax 871-7834
Doug Johnson
We provide a variety of services to the maritime community, especially crews of large ships in the Portland and Portsmouth harbors -- recreation, pastoral care, clothing, transportation, access to phones, etc.

Sexual Assault Statewide Hotline--See Violence Prevention and Services

Substance Abuse Programs
There are too many programs to even begin to list them. See the listing below (Support Groups) and the Office of Substance Abuse for an inkling of the many groups and services available.

Support Groups in Maine
Office of Substance Abuse, State House Station 159
Augusta, ME 04333
800-499-0027 Fax 287-8910
osa.ircosa@state.me.us
www.state.me.us/dmhmrsa/osa
Publishes an extensive list of "Support Groups for the State of Maine," including substance abuse, child and domestic abuse, AIDS, sexual assault, food issues, and support groups for women, parents, and others.

Veterans Centers
Veterans Centers provide Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) counseling to combat veterans; readjustment counseling to Vietnam Era veterans; sexual trauma counseling to any veteran who was assaulted or harassed on active duty; and referrals for any other services veterans require that centers do not directly provide.

Veterans Center - Bangor
352 Harlow St
Bangor, ME 04401
947-3391  Fax 941-8195

Veterans Center - Caribou
450 York St
Caribou, ME 04736
496-3900 

Veterans Center - Lewiston
29 Westminster St
Lewiston, ME 04240
783-0068  Fax 783-3505

Veterans Center - Portland
475 Stevens Ave
Portland, ME 04103
780-3584   Fax 780-3545

Veterans Center - Sanford
23 Main St
Springvale, ME 04083
490-1513  Fax 490-1609

Vietnam Veterans of America, Maine State Council
PO Box 44
Stockholm, ME 04783
896-3084 Fax 896-3288
Richard Tauer
We serve as a watchdog for services to Vietnam Vets. Some support and counseling is available.  Also involved in community activities.  Local groups in Orono, St, Agatha, and Limestone.

PO Box 3
Limestone, ME 04750
325-4680 

80 Forest Ave
Orono, ME 04473
866-7047 
Bob Whelan

140 Main St.
St. Agatha, ME 04772
543-6150 
Jack Myers

Youth Crisis Stabilization--See Youth