St. James Parish HOPE Ministry Links Page

Self-Help Resources

Scroll down below to find resources appropriate to your current concern -- Alcoholism, Drug Abuse/Addiction, Smoking, Eating Disorders, Gambling, Internet Gaming, Codependent Behavior, or Mental Health-related issues.

If you cannot find a resource to satisfy your needs, contact us for additional assistance. Hope Ministry members are available to help, not as treatment professionals, but in a spiritual support role and as a conduit to information about your particular concerns. For a confidential conversation, contact any Hope Ministry member, or send an E-mail to stjhope@hotmail.com

For general information on addiction and treatment options, visit any of the following Web resources:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, US Dept. of Health and Human Services) can provide general information on a variety of topics. Also, visit the SAMHSA National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug Information. For a database reference of treatment centers (by selected needs or attributes), you can visit the SAMHSA Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism includes a variety of information resources, including links to related Web sites.

For local resources that can provide immediate guidance on evaluation of a drug or alcohol problem and referrals to treatment, contact one or more of the following organizations:

Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (MCADA)
(or)
Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Trenton, is a faith-inspired social services agency with more than 100 years of experience, providing a wide variety of services that include addiction treatment, behavioral healthcare, domestic violence prevention and treatment, help with basic needs, housing assistance, job training and supported employment.
(or)
City of Angels is a local group committed to the needs of the addicted and their families for increased support, interventions, and referrals. Their Web pages of Links and their Calendar events outline specific opportunities for help, and their experienced volunteers can help you navigate the available resources.

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT FOR THE AFFLICTED AND THE AFFECTED
For those who need a boost for their spiritual well-being, there are several good organizations offering weekend retreats and day programs -- including some with events specifically for those in recovery or for the codependents of individuals who might be struggling for sobriety. These include The Upper Room Spiritual Center in Neptune, NJ and San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, NJ, as well as Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, CT.

Information on specific support groups -- with access to meeting lists for addicts, family members, and friends -- is available at the following Web sites. Click on the links in this list for more information about the topic(s) of specific concern to you:

Alcoholism

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The Central Jersey Intergroup covers provides listings for local meetings for Mercer, parts of Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Somerset, and Hunterdon Counties.

Signs of Sobriety provides alcoholism and drug addiction services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. You can also call TTY: 1-800-332-7677 or 609-882-7177.

Al-Anon/Alateen (National) provides help for friends and family members concerned about a loved one.

Al-Anon/Ala-Teen (New Jersey) Includes resources and NJ meeting lists for adults and/or teens concerned about a loved one's alcoholism.

Adult Children of Alcoholics is a Twelve-Step program of women and men who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes. They discover how childhood affected them in the past and influences them in the present. By working the Twelve Steps, they find freedom from the past and a way to improve their lives today.

Families Anonymous is devoted to recovery from the effects of a loved one's addictive behaviors, whether related to drugs, alcohol, or other problems of living. It provides information, hope, and encouragement to the family and friends of addicts -- including on-line access to an "E-meeting."

Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide.

Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else's addiction. They offer their help by sharing their experience, strength, and hope in a 12-Step Program designed to help the loved ones of addicts recover from the effects of living with an addicted relative or friend.

Nar-Anon/Narateen of New Jersey provides help for family members and friends of drug abusers by offering comfort, hope, and friendship through shared experiences. Includes links to meeting locations throughout New Jersey.

Families Anonymous is devoted to recovery from the effects of a loved one's addictive behaviors -- whether related to drugs, alcohol, or other problems of living. It provides information, hope, and encouragement to the family and friends of addicts -- including on-line access to an "E-meeting."

Here are several links you can use to learn more about potential eating disorder concerns including: Frequently Asked Questions, as well as Teen Eating Disorder Facts, Warning Signs, Treatment Options, and Help, plus a quiz to help you evaluate the potential for an eating disorder.

Eating Disorders Anonymous is a recovery program from compulsive eating that offers recovery from compulsive overeating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA.

Overeaters Anonymous is a recovery program from compulsive eating that offers recovery from compulsive overeating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. The Central Jersey Intergroup includes meeting listings for Mercer, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, and Union Counties.

800 Gambler This New Jersey support group for individuals with a gambling problem also has a New Jersey telephone hotline 1-800-GAMBLER.

Gamblers Anonymous This is a national organization for individuals concerned about their gambling problems. The New Jersey Intergroup lists local meetings, and can also be contacted on their Hotline at 973-815-0988.

Gam-Anon provides help for those concerned about a loved one with a gambling problem.

On-Line Gamers Anonymous (OLGA/OLG-Anon) is a self-help fellowship to assist in recovery from the problems caused by excessive game playing, whether it be computer, video, console, or on-line. This community includes recovering gamers, family members, loved ones, friends, and concerned others.

Families Anonymous is devoted to recovery from the effects of a loved one's addictive behaviors -- whether related to drugs, alcohol, or other problems of living. It provides information, hope, and encouragement to the family and friends of addicts -- including on-line access to an "E-meeting."

Co-Dependents Anonymous is a program of recovery from co-dependence with the lives of others. Many members have been searching for ways to overcome the dilemmas of conflicts in their relationships with others and to experience a new freedom from self-defeating lifestyles.

NAMI Mercer, a local office of the National Association on Mental Illness, provides information and local support resources for mental health issues in general. Compulsive behaviors and addictive behaviors can sometimes be accompanied by, or interconnected with, mental health issues. While this Web site does not specifically address addictions, it can be helpful in providing understanding and assistance with mental health concerns for an addict or family. Their hotline -- 609-799-8994 (staffed from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday) -- is available to show individuals how to navigate through the mental health service delivery system.