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Self-Help Groups

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There are many support groups for growth, healing, and recovery.  Most have a specific focus.  These groups are called "Self-Help" since most are peer groups and do not have a therapist leading them.

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These listings are provided as a community service without individual endorsement or recommendation.  Please verify places and times prior to attending.  Thanks to the Anchorage Daily News ( www.adn.com ) for the initial list that got us started with ours. 

Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA or ACOA) meetings follow 12-step format.   No current groups in Anchorage/Matsu areas.  Check the ACA website for most current info.  Please let us know if a group becomes available.
Adult Grief Group, meets every 2nd 4th Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm, Hospice of Anchorage office, 500 West International Airport Road, Suite C, 561-5322,  info@hospiceofanchorage.org. An open drop-in, sharing group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. On the web: www.hospiceofanchorage.org. [updated 07/18/07]

Alaska CARES (Child Abuse Response & Evaluation Services) provides a careproviders' group for those who have had a child disclose sexual abuse.  The family must have been seen at Alaska CARES and Care Providers must complete Intake Process prior to the group start date.  No Charge for participation in Care Provider’s Group.  4050 Lake Otis Pkwy, Suite 205, Anchorage.  561-8301 [updated 05/10/04]

Alaska Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 4 p.m., first Sunday of each month, CThancer Therapy Center conference room at Providence Alaska Medical Center.  Contact Kim at 274-1190.  This group provides support for women with ovarian cancer, education about ovarian cancer, and works to raise awareness of the disease.

Alaska Head Injury Support Group, 6:30-8:00 p.m., first and third Tuesdays of each month, Access Alaska, 121 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 105.  (Maggie Price, 248-4777).
Alaska Hepatitis C Coalition Support Group, meets regularly, 566-6695.  Call for time and place.
Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web on-line support group, 8-9 p.m. Wednesdays.  www.akmhcweb.org.  Click on "Chat Room."
Alcoholics Anonymous.  12-Step Group.  Daily in Anchorage, 272-2312.  Call for information or visit 523 W. 8th Ave. to pick up a schedule.
Al-Anon Family Support Groups.  12-Step Group.  Meet regularly, call 276-6646.  Fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences, strength and hope to solve their common problems.  Anonymous.
Alzheimer's disease and related dementia support groups: 1st Thursday each month 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon is the General Caregiver Support group, 2nd Thursday  each month 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon is the (nonspouse) Adult Child/Relative only Caregiver Support group, 3rd Thursday each month 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon is the Spousal only Caregiver Support group.  Alzheimer's Resource Agency, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.  (Amanda or Sera, 561-3313). [updated 01/27/04]
Alzheimer's disease and related dementia support groups, noon-2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Alzheimer's Resource Agency, Trinity Barn Plaza, Mile 2.2 Palmer-Wasilla Highway.  (Dixi, 746-3414).
American Cancer Society, Support Group, 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 204, 277-8696.  For patients, family members and others struggling with a cancer diagnosis.  The society also offers one-on-one support to men diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Volunteers who are survivors of prostate cancer assist with information and coping skills from diagnosis through therapy.

Anchorage Double Trouble in Recovery is a 12-step recovery group for the dually-diagnosed. In our Fellowship, we band together with an open-minded understanding of each other, with honesty, we expose our problems & weaknesses. The humility we share shall never mask or cover the courage it takes to admit who & what we are. D.T.R. invites you to join us and continue or begin your mental, physical & spiritual recovery.  We meet in the N.A.M.I. building located at 144 W. 15th. Ave., Anchorage, Alaska. Weekly meetings Sundays 1:30pm.  Contact (907) 644-6219 or Darryl P. at (907)764-3930, or E-mail:  DoubleTroubleinRecovery@hotmail.com [updated 01/31/08]

Anchorage Mended Hearts Support Group, meets monthly.  Call 337-1848.  For people who have coronary heart disease or have experienced a heart attack or other coronary event or surgical procedure.
Anchorage School District Special Education Parent Resource Center hosts the following support groups at College Gate Elementary School, 3101 Sunflower, during the school year:  Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Parent Group, 7-9 p.m., fourth Thursday, Room 35; Asperger Parent Group, 7-9 p.m. fourth Thursday, Room 32; Autism Parent Group, 7-9 p.m., second Tuesday, Room 35;  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect Support Group, 7-8:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday, Room 35; Alaska COPE Support Group, 6:30-8:30 p.m., first Thursday, Room 35.  (742-3872).
Anchorage Survivors of Suicide, meets 7-9 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays at 1805 Academy Drive at the Alaska Police Chaplains Ministries office.  Contact Chaplain Bert McQueen for more information 272-3100. [updated 06/08/05]
Anchorage Widowed Persons Service support group meets 1:30 p.m. Sundays at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Ave., to provide support for widowed men and women of all ages.  The second and fourth Sunday meetings are especially for newly widowed.  (566-0580)
Anger Resolution is a 13 week Seminar for those who want to not just manage anger, but want to resolve the root causes of their anger. We are a support group that meets every Thursday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in room #208 at The Anchorage Baptist Temple. Jeff LaVoice, Group Facilitator, Phone 230-8070. [updated 09/29/06]
APES (Adoptive Parents Embracing Sanity), a support and advocacy group for adoptive parents of non-infant children adopted at an older age; meetings by request.  Contact for Joe or Mary for more information at  moonshine@gci.net or 243-6525.
Arthritis Support and Education Group meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Ave.  (Lenora Preston, 274-5335)
Better Breathers Support Group for people with breathing difficulties caused by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, lung cancer or other diseases, meets noon-2 p.m. fourth Wednesday of each month at 500 W. International Airport Road, A.P.D.E.A. Conference Room.  (Melissa Iverslie, 565-5593, melissa@aklung.org)
Blind and Visually Impaired Support Group, Mat-Su Valley Chapter, 2:30-4 p.m., second Saturday of the month, Palmer Senior Center, 831 S. Chugach St., Palmer.  (Wanda Issel, 746-7788).
Caregiver Support Group for those caring for seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, meets 10:30 a.m.-noon the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Eagle River VFW, across from the fire station.  (Susan Smiley, 696-0736 or dksmileys@gci.net; or Liz Hunt at the Alzheimer's Association, 561-3313)
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CODA), a 12-step group, meets weekly in Anchorage and Eagle River.  Call 333-6620 for meeting times and locations.
The Compassionate Friends, a support group for parents who have lost a child of any age through death, meets 6:30-8 PM on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. We meet on the third floor in a conference room near the children's unit. There are signs that point the way. The group is free and open to the public. People wanting more information or specific directions can contact Barbara Stifl at 248-1063, stephl@alaska.net. [updated 12/9/06]
Diabetes Education Group meets 7-9 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Anchorage Senior Center 1300 East 19th Avenue. (696-8357) [updated 06/12/06]
DivorceCare, a support group for people experiencing divorce and separation, meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Christian Church, 3000 E. 16th Ave.  (Hal or Barbara, 338-6777)
ENCOREplus Component II, a support and exercise program for breast cancer survivors, meets 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays and 10-noon Wednesdays at the YMCA, 5353 Lake Otis Parkway, through May.  The program provides a small-group atmosphere where breast cancer survivors can share concerns, information and hope in a confidential and caring environment, and learn ways to develop and maintain physical strength and psychological well-being.  The group is funded by the Alaska Run for Women.  For information or to register, call Michele, 274-1525.
Forget Me Not Grief Program - Support groups for children, teens and the adults who love them.  Forget Me Not provides loving support in a safe place to share, learn and grow.  Hospice of Anchorage - 561-5322 or email to:  info@hospiceofanchorage.org. On the web: www.hospiceofanchorage.org [updated 07/18/07]
Gam-Anon meets regularly for friends and relatives of gamblers to share experiences, strength and hope.  Call Dale, 349-1007, for current info and/or check Gam-Anon website.
Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step fellowship of people wanting to free themselves from pull-tabs, bingo and other compulsive gambling.  (Not currently active in Anchorage.  Check the Gamblers Anonymous website for current info.  Please contact the webmaster if you know of a meeting.) [updated 01/22/04]
Griefshare, a program for people having difficulty adjusting to the death of a family member, meets weekly.  Call Pastor Tony Smith, 333-6535 for meeting time and location.
Homicide Grief Support Group meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at  Victims for Justice, 921 W. Sixth Ave.  (278-0977)
La Leche League of Anchorage breast-feeding support and information (644-0555, www.lalecheleague.org). [updated 03/15/04]
Lupus Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter, sponsors monthly support groups and educational seminars four times a year.  Call 338-6332 for information, or toll-free 1-800-307-5878.
Mat-Su Breast Cancer Support Group meets 7-9 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in Classroom C of the Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla.  For more information, a list of upcoming topics, or to schedule a ride, call Jan, 376-8689.
Nalgroup, a problem-solving support group for people taking Naltrexone to combat alcoholism, meets 7-8 p.m.  Mondays at 4240 Wisconsin Street.  All welcome.  (337-4663)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Anchorage offers numerous groups: Adult Consumer Support Meeting, 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays and 11:30 p.m. Saturdays; General Support Meeting for Families and Friends, 6:00 p.m. every first and third Mondays of each month; General Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m. fourth Tuesday, September through May; Double Trouble in Recovery, a 12-step group for people diagnosed with mental illness or mood disorder wishing to recover from substance abuse, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays. All groups are confidential and all are held at 144 W. 15th Av. (272-0227).  Web site:  www.nami.org/sites/NAMIAnchorage.   [updated 03/18/08]

Narcotics Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship of men and women who meet regularly to help each other achieve and maintain abstinence from drugs.  Call 277-LIVE/5483 or, in Wasilla, 1-907-352-3733, and/or check the NA website for current info.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Self-Help Group meets noon-2 p.m. second Thursday of each month at the United Way Bldg at 1057 W. Fireweed Lane.  (National MS Society, Anchorage division, 563-1115, option 2) [updated 11/02/03]
Neuropathy Support Group meets 7:30-8 p.m. second Wednesday of each month at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Ave.  (345-2885)
Nicotine Anonymous meets noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays at Cook Inlet Tribal Council, 670 W. Fireweed Lane.  (Heidi, 345-5864, 243-4215).  Check the Nicotine Anonymous website for current info.

Overeaters Anonymous, for compulsive eaters who want to recover, is based on the same 12 steps as Alcoholics Anonymous.  Meetings held regularly.  Call 279-1942 for times and location or check the OA website.

Parents Anonymous, for those who want to improve family relationships, meets 11-noon Saturdays at Parents Inc., 4743 E. Northern Lights.  A children's group leader is provided.  (337-7678, www.parentsinc.org)
Parents Reaching Out, an infant-loss support group for parents, family members and friends, meets 7-9 p.m. first and third Thursdays of each month at Zion Lutheran Church, 2100 Boniface Parkway.  (273-5409; in the Valley, call Diane Beauvais at 1-907-373-2526)
Parkinsons' Family Support Group meets 1-3 p.m. third Saturday of each month at the Anchorage Senior Center, 1300 E. 19th Ave.  (243-3381)
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Anchorage, a nonprofit corporation that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, their families and friends, meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3201 Turnagain Street.  (566-1813)
Partners in Progress (spouses of sex addicts), 440-0948.  [updated 03/15/04]
Pills Anonymous, for those addicted to prescription medication, meets 3-4 p.m. Sundays & 6-7 Thursdays at Dry Dock, 8141 Briarwood St., off Dimond, behind Viking Hall.  (770-7848)
Prodigals of Anchorage offers support groups for people with sexual addictions: Call 884-6044 (men) or 440-0948 (women).  Prodigals website [updated 03/15/04]
RITE Inc. offers "cognitively oriented" self-help meetings for people who want to quit drinking or drug use at noon on Thursdays,  (562-7483)
Scleroderma and Other Autoimmune Diseases support group meets at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at Alaska Regional Medical Plaza, Classroom 1.  (Joan Rupert, 349-1364, or JRupert1@webtv.net)
Sexaholics Anonymous is a 12-step fellowship for people who want to stop sexually self-destructive thinking and behavior.  (566-7399)

Standing Together Against Rape, Inc (STAR) offers support to victims of sexual assault and their significant others in Anchorage.

  • Teen Group - A support group for teenage women who are survivors of sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
  • Sexual Assault Survivors Group - A group for adult women who are survivors of sexual assault.
  • Survivors of Incest and Child Sexual Abuse - A group for adult women who are survivors of incest or child sexual abuse.
  • Native Women's Craft Group - A sewing and craft group for Native women who are survivors of child sexual abuse or adult sexual assault.
  • Significant Others Support Group - A group for parents of survivors of sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
  • Healing Through Expression - A creative writing and arts group for adult survivors of sexual assault or incest.
  • Men's Group - A support group for adult male survivors of sexual assault or child sexual abuse.
  • Untaming the Tamed - A training group on assertiveness for sexual assault survivors through boundary communication and positive self-esteem.
  • Writing to Release the Past - A journal writing group for all survivors.

Please contact STAR regarding the schedule of these services.  907-276-7279.  STAR Website [updated 05/11/04]

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) for anyone who has suffered from clergy abuse and/or their supporters regardless of religious affiliation, if any.  For more info contact SNAP Anchorage at 229-4131, snapanchorage@snapnorthwest.org or visit SNAP Northwest Website and SNAP National Website [updated 03/10/04]
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to weight control, meets regularly.  Call Mickie Pascar, 333-6119, for meeting times and locations.