"My best friend's brother has cancer and she is having problems dealing with it. Are there any groups she could join to get support?"- 14 year old

SUPPORT GROUPS

The idea of a support group is to provide a nonjudgmental place where you can come and talk about your feelings and hear other people talk about theirs. A lot of times it really helps to hear that other people have been through what you're going through.

There are support groups to help people through all kinds of experiences — the death of a loved one, sexual abuse, the suicide of someone close to you, problems with relationships, coping with diseases like cancer, AIDS or diabetes, overcoming addictions — and many other types of life experiences that we may not be prepared to deal with alone.

SELF-HELP/SUPPORT RESOURCES

888-425-2666Al-Anon Family Groups

M-F 9am-5pm (Meeting times vary)
Website: www.al-anon.org
Los Angeles (888) 684-6444
National (800) 356-9996 or (800) 344-2666
Spanish (24-hour machine) (562) 948-2190
Alcohol Drug Helpline (800) 821-4357, 24 hours
Referrals nationwide: www.wellplace.com12-step program for teen relatives and friends of alcoholics.

888-684-6444Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

M-F 8am-6pm (Eastern time)
Website: www.al-anon.alateen.org
Mutual Support Line for Meetings (888) 425-2666
Mutual support group for family and friends of alcoholics.
Meeting information line.

800-684-6444Alateen

M-F 9am-5pm call (818) 760-7122.
Website: www.al-anon.alateen.org
L.A. (English) (213) 387-3158.
L.A. (Spanish) (562) 948-2190.
Meeting info only: (Toll free, English) (888) 684-6444
24 hr. recorded listing with all phone numbers and 12-step programs for teen relatives and friends of alcoholics.

323-735-2089Alcoholicos Anonimos (Spanish)

M-F 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-3pm; Open Holidays, Closed on Sunday.

800-923-8722Alcoholics Anonymous

24 hours
Website: www.lacoaa.org
Meeting information and literature.

951-695-1535Alcoholics Anonymous (RIVERSIDE)

Live hours: M-F 10am-5:30 pm, Sat. 9am-12 noon. Closed Sunday
Website: www.temeculacentraloffice.org
24 hour Hotline for referrals to Al-Anon and AA meetings within the area. Information, literature available.

310-559-5833Cocaine Anonymous World Service Office, Inc.

24 hours
Website: www.ca.org or www.ca4la.org
(310) 216-4444 in Los Angeles and 1-800-347-8998
Information, referrals and printed literature.

213-386-8789Gamblers Anonymous

M-F 7am-4pm
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org
24 hours Referrals. Bilingual.

800-766-6779Marijuana Anonymous

24 hours.
Website: www.marijuana-anonymous.org
L.A. (24 hours): (323) 964-2370
Valley (24 hours): (818) 759-9194
Orange County: (714) 999-9409
Pasadena/Inland Empire: (626) 583-9582
Central Office: 1-800-766-6779
Recorded information. 12-step recovery program for those wanting to quit smoking marijuana.

310-534-8188Nar-Anon/World Service Office

M-Th 9am-5pm
Website: www.naranon.com
For family and friends of drug users. Visit website for Nar-ateen meetings in your area.

818-773-9999Narcotics Anonymous Meeting Information Line

24 hours
Website: www.todayna.org and www.na.org
Additional phone: 1-800-TODAY-NA
Call to get a local meeting referral only.

800-642-0666Nicotine Anonymous

24 hour recording
Website: www.nicotine-anonymous.org
Additional phone: (415) 750-0328
Referrals to 12-step meetings and support group information.

323-653-7499Overeaters Anonymous (Los Angeles)

24 hours
Website: www.oalaig.org
Los Angeles: (323) 653-7652
Pasadena: (323) 460-2459
San Gabriel Valley: (626) 335-3355
San Fernando Valley: (818) 881-4776
South Bay: (562) 493-9030
For all types of eating disorders information and referrals to LA areas 12-steps meetings.

951-715-2080Overeaters Anonymous (RIVERSIDE)

24 hours recording
Website: www.oaiei.itgo.com
Provides information, literature and referrals to meetings within the community.

800-366-8288Safe Alternatives

24 hour recording
Website: www.selfinjury.com
Office: (630) 305-5813
Support for those who engage in repetitive self-harm behaviors.

909-620-7722San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center

M-F 8am-5pm
Website: www.sgprc.org
Provides referrals to local support groups including Tourette's Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy.
Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Thai parent support groups.

310-305-8878SHARE! The Self-Help and Recovery Exchange

M-F 9:30am-10pm and 24 hour recording
Website: www.shareselfhelp.org
FREE Referrals for self-help groups in L.A. County. Help starting your own support group.

818-906-3022We SPARK Cancer Support Center

Sherman Oaks: M-Th 9am-9pm; F 9am-4pm

Santa Clarita Office: 26370 Diamond Place, Suite 507, Santa Clarita, CA 91350; Phone 661-288-2322.  M-Th 9am-7pm, F 9am-4pm

Website: www.wespark.org
Free support groups for adults, teens, and children.  Other programs to support cancer patients and their families.