Resources exist in central and southern Indiana to help manage addiction

Compiled by Natalie Hoefer

Addiction is a “chronic brain disorder,” according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). It typically takes one of two forms—substance use disorder such as drugs and alcohol, or behavioral addiction such as overeating, gambling, pornography and more.

The organization notes that addiction “doesn’t happen from having a lack of willpower or as a result of making bad decisions.” But it can have devastating effects on a person’s physical and mental health, relationships and career.

Counseling and recovery groups exist in central and southern Indiana—as well as online—to help manage addictions. Below is a non-comprehensive list.

12-step recovery programs

—Alcohol: Alcoholics Anonymous. For information, go to aa.org. For a list of cities and towns offering in-person meetings in central and southern Indiana, go to alcoholicsanonymous.com/aa-meetings/Indiana. For a list of online meetings, go to aaintergroup.org/meetings.

—Drug and substance use: Narcotics Anonymous. For information and to find in-person or online meetings, go to www.na.org.

—Gambling: Gamblers Anonymous. For information and to find in-person or online meetings, go to gamblersanonymous.org.

—Internet: Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous. For more information and to find in-person and online meetings, go to internetaddictsanonymous.org.

—Nicotine: Nicotine Anonymous. For more information and to find in-person and online meetings, go to www.nicotine-anonymous.org.

—Overeating and food disorders: Overeaters Anonymous. For information and to find in-person or online meetings, go to oa.org. Also applicable to those who obsessively diet or have bulimia or anorexia.

—Overspending, shopping: Spenders Anonymous. For more information and to find in-person or online meetings, go to spenders.org.

—Pornography viewing addiction: For information, go to www.pornaddictsanonymous.org.

—Video gaming: Gaming Addicts Anonymous. For more information and to find in-person or online meetings, go to www.gamingaddictsanonymous.org.
 

Additionally, Catholic in Recovery incorporates a Catholic perspective to 12-step recovery of any form of addiction, although some online meetings focus on a specific addiction. Two in-person groups are available in the archdiocese:

—Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Lumen Christi Catholic School building, 580 Stevens St., Indianapolis. Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Information: Jerry, 317-757-1439, cir.church.holyrosary@gmail.com.

—St. Simon the Apostle Parish, 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis. Mondays at 7 p.m. Information: Mark, 513-227-6325, rubicma@hotmail.com.

For more information or for a list of online meetings, go to catholicinrecovery.com.

Counseling

—A list of Catholic therapists and counselors located in central and southern Indiana, vetted by the archdiocese, can be found at lnkiy.in/MentalHealthMinistry and lnkiy.in/CounselorList.

—Catholic Charities Bloomington offers individual, couples, family and child counseling. Most health insurances are accepted, with a sliding fee scale available. For accessibility to all in need, this counseling is not faith-based. Call 812-332-1262 or go to ccbin.org for more information.

—Catholic Charities Indianapolis (CCI) offers individual, couple and family counseling on a sliding fee scale based on income. CCI also accepts a variety of private insurances as well as Medicaid. For accessibility to all in need, this counseling is not faith-based. Call 317-236-1500 and select option 2. Go to lnkiy.in/CCICounseling to complete an intake form and for a list of therapists. †

 

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