Support Groups: Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug, Cancer, HIV

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Support Groups: Alcoholics Anonymous, Drug, Cancer, HIV

Below you will find information on the various support organisations and helplines in Lisbon. While some have English-speaking staff and volunteers, there is no guarantee that English will be spoken. 

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (Alcoólicos Anónimos) in Portugal has a website with a list of all the meetings throughout the country. Some of the meetings are in English.

For information on local meetings, contact:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  At: Apartado 4331, 1521-997 Lisbon
  Tel: 217 162 969
  e-mail 
  Website (in Portuguese)
  To find an AA meeting in the Lisbon area: Click here (scroll down for the Union Jack flag)

The Portuguese Anti Alcoholic Society (Sociedade Anti-Alcoólica Portuguesa - SAAP) is a non-governmental organisation set up in 1967 which includes technical and medical staff, support groups and counselling for alcoholics and recovered alcoholics and people whose lives have been touched by alcoholism. Non-Portuguese speaking members are welcome, staff speak English.

• Portuguese Anti Alcohol Society
  At: Rua Febo Moniz, 13-1º, 1150-152 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 571 483 Monday to Friday 09:30-18:00
  Fax: 213 152 313
  e-mail 
  Website 

Drug Abuse

• Drug helpline (Linha Vida SOS-Drogas) - Tel: 1414

The Portuguese Association for Drug Addicts Anonymous (Associação Portuguesa de Narcóticos Anónimos) is dedicated to offering addicts both support groups and recovery programmes in the Greater Lisbon area. 

• Portuguese Association for Drug Addicts Anonymous
  At: Apartado 526 EC, 2796-801 Carnaxide
  Tel: 219 477 970 / 800 202 013
  e-mail 
  Website

HIV / AIDS

• AIDS line (Linha Sida) - Tel: 800 266 666 Monday to Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturdays 14:00-20:00
• SOS AIDS (SOS-SIDA) Tel: 800 201 040 daily 17:30-21:30

Abraço is a non-profit organisation helping those living with AIDS and HIV

• Abraço
  At: José Luís Champalimaud 4-A, 1600-187 Lisbon and Rua Mormugão 35, 2900-506 Sétubal
  Tel: 217 997 500 / 800 225 115
  e-mail 
  Website

The Portuguese League Against Aids (Liga Portuguesa contra a SIDA) is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to help those living with HIV and AIDS.

• Liga Portuguesa contra a SIDA
  At: Rua do Crucifixo Nº 40, 4º Esq, 1100-183 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 479 376 / 213 225 575
  e-mail 
  Website

Stop Smoking Support

• Stop Smoking helpline (SOS-Deixar de Fumar) - Tel: 808-208 888 Monday to Friday 13:00-21:00

Cancer Support

• Cancer Helpline - Tel: 213 619 542, Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00

The Humanitarian Union for Cancer Patients (União Humanitária dos Doentes com Cancro) provides psychological help, medical help, advice and support, family and group therapy, and funds for cancer sufferers and their families.

• União Humanitária dos Doentes com Cancro
  At: Avenida de Ceuta Norte, Bairro do Loureiro, Lote 11, Loja 2, 1350-410 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 619 542 / 217 962 737
  Fax: 213 619 544
  e-mail 
  Website

The Portuguese Anti-Cancer League (Liga Portuguesa contra o Cancro) provides  assistance, advice and support for cancer sufferers and their families and can provide family and group therapies. It has palliative care programmes and units.

• Portuguese Anti-Cancer League
  At: Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro Nº 57-3ºF, 1070-061 Lisbon
  Tel: 217 221 810
  Fax: 217 268 059
  e-mail 
  Website

Mental Health

SOS Voz Amiga is a helpline for the depressed, lonely, suicidal and anxious and is organised by the Portuguese Suicide Society (Sociedade Portuguesa de Suicidologia) 

• SOS Voz Amiga - Tel: 800 202 669 / 213 544 545

Family Support

The Portuguese Association for Families Anonymous (Associação Portuguesa de Famílias Anónimas, APFA) deals with all problems affecting families from drug and sexual abuse to sexuality problems.

• Portuguese Association for Families Anonymous  
  At: R.M. Almeida Vasconcelos Lote 51-2º Dto, Quinta do Barão 2775 Carcavelos
  Tel: 214 538 709
  Fax: 214 538 709

Child Support

The Portuguese Provedor de Justiça provides help and advice for children in need and can assist with legal matters and with contacting the relevant social services. Contact can be made via free telephone. 

• Recados da Criança Helpline: 800 206 656
• At: Rua Pau de Bandeira, 9, 1249-088 Lisboa
  Tel: 213 926 600 
  Fax: 213 961 243
  e-mail
  Website

The Institute of Help for Children (Instituto de Apoio à Criança) focuses on protecting and defending children and promoting children's rights. The children's helpline is open daily from 09:30-18:30.

• SOS Criança - Tel: 800 202 651 / 217 931 617
• Instituto de Apoio à Criança 
  Website

Support for the Elderly

The Portuguese Provedor de Justiça has a helpline (Linha do Cidadão Idoso) for the elderly which deals with questions concerning health, housing, ill treatment and social services. 

• Elderly helpline - Tel: 800-203-531

Women's Support Groups 

Help for Mothers (Ajuda de Mãe) is a non profit organisation created in 1991 that provides support to mothers and pregnant women. They offer  psychological assistance, help with training and returning to work and hold regular meetings in Lisbon (in Portuguese) for mothers and expectant mothers. They also have a pregnancy helpline (SOS Gravida). 

• Pregnancy helpline - Tel: 808 201 139
• Ajuda de Mãe
  At: Rua do Arco do Carvalhão Nº 282, 1350-026 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 862 020 / 213 827 850
  Fax: 213 827 859
  Website

Victim Support

• Victim line - Tel: 707 200 077 Monday to Friday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:30

The Portuguese Association for Victim Support (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vitima) provides assistance and protection to victims of abuse, violence and crime. 

• Portuguese Association for Victim Support 
  At: Rua José Estêvão 135, A-Piso 1, 1150-201 Lisbon
  Tel: 213 857 900
  Fax: 218 876 351
  e-mail 
  Website  (in Portuguese)
  Open: 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00

Glossary of Emergency Words & Terminology

Further Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Helplines & Support Lines in Lisbon
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Emergency Telephone Numbers in Lisbon, Portugal