Support Groups
Maine Resources
211 Maine - A free, confidential service connecting residents to over 8,000 health and human services, including mental health care, substance use treatment, family services, and support groups. Available 24/7 via phone (dial 211), text (text your zip code to 898-211), or online search.
NAMI Maine - Offers peer-led support groups for individuals living with mental illness and their families, following a structured model led by trained facilitators with lived experience.
Psychology Today - Maintains a searchable directory of support groups across Maine, allowing users to filter by location, topic, and format (in-person or virtual).
Access Maine - An online resource guide connecting residents to public programs and services, including support groups.
MaineHealth System Support Groups - Provides various support groups, including for cancer, cardiovascular issues, chronic pain, fertility and family building, grief and loss, neurology, and substance use.
Regional Resources
New England ADA Center - Offers resources for individuals with disabilities and may have information about local groups. The New England ADA Center serves the six New England states—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont—by providing information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Center aims to support businesses, government entities, and individuals in understanding and voluntarily complying with the ADA, promoting equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.
National Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - A global, community-based fellowship dedicated to helping individuals struggling with alcohol use achieve and maintain sobriety. Founded in 1935, AA operates on a 12-step program that emphasizes personal accountability, spiritual growth, and mutual support. Meetings are free, anonymous, and open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, find a sponsor for one-on-one support, and work through the 12 steps to aid in recovery. Meetings are available daily in-person and online, offering flexibility and accessibility to individuals across the U.S. and beyond.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) - A nonprofit fellowship of individuals who support one another in recovery from drug addiction. Founded in 1953, NA uses a 12-step model similar to AA, but it is inclusive of all types of drug addiction—not limited to any specific substance. NA meetings are open to anyone who wishes to stop using drugs, regardless of the particular substance or combination of substances used. NA provides daily meetings—both in-person and virtual—where members share experiences, build peer support networks, and progress through the recovery process. The fellowship emphasizes complete abstinence from all mood- and mind-altering substances.
SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) - A science-based support program for people recovering from all types of addictive behaviors—including substance use and behavioral addictions. Unlike the spiritual focus of the 12-step model, SMART Recovery emphasizes self-empowerment, personal choice, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles. Meetings are led by trained facilitators and are available both online and in-person throughout the U.S. Participants learn tools to help them manage cravings, deal with difficult emotions, and sustain motivation. The program’s 4-Point Program focuses on:
Building and maintaining motivation
Coping with urges
Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Living a balanced life
SMART Recovery does not require belief in a higher power, making it a secular alternative to traditional 12-step programs.
GriefShare - A prominent national support group program designed to help individuals cope with the loss of a loved one. Through weekly sessions that include video seminars and group discussions, participants find comfort and guidance during their grieving process. Other organizations, such as My Grief Angels, offer free virtual grief support groups categorized by the type of loss, providing accessible support to those in mourning.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization, providing free, peer-led support groups. These include the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group for adults living with mental health conditions and the NAMI Family Support Group for family members and caregivers. Meetings are available both in-person and virtually across the country, offering participants a platform to share experiences and gain support from others.