These are some of North County's health support groups. For more, contact your local hospital or health provider:

Alcoholism:

Women for Sobriety: Self-help group for women alcoholics, meets at 6 p.m. Mondays at the San Marcos Kaiser-Permanente center. Not a 12-step program. Call (760) 214-8114 or (760) 724-4474.

Alzheimer's disease:

Alzheimer's Support Group: Vista group meets from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Arcadia Place, 1080 Arcadia Ave. under the auspices of the Alzheimer's Association of San Diego. Call (760) 727-9089 or e-mail keyboard@sbcglobal.net.

Breast Cancer:

Breast Health Program, Vista Community Clinic: For breast cancer survivors and those in treatment. Meets every other Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call (760) 407-1220, Ext. 167, or (760) 407-1220, Ext. 154.

Breast cancer support group, Tri-City Medical Center: Meets 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the hospital at 4002 West Vista Way. For meeting room location, check in at the front lobby. Call (760) 940-3119.

Caregivers:

Caregivers Support group, Hospice of the North Coast: 9:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, for all caregivers of the seriously ill in our community. Call (760) 431-4100.

Celiac Disease:

Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance Support Group: Call (760) 931-7809 or visit http://www.glutenfreeinsd.com.

Developmental disabilities:

Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions: For parents of children ages 15 and older who have developmental disabilities. Call (858) 748-2594.

Eating:

National Association for Anorexio Nervosa and Associated Disorders: 7 p.m. Monday at 5145 Avenida Encinas, Suite A, Carlsbad. Group meeting for families and friends is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 5145 Avenida Encinas Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Call (760) 602-5002, Ext. 1.

Epilepsy:

Epilepsy Support Group, North County: 7 p.m. first Tuesday at Tri-City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside, Room B across from cafeteria and downstairs from main lobby. For individuals of all ages and families affected by seizure disorders. Call (619) 296-0161 or visit www.epilepsysandiego.org.

Heart disease:

WomenHeart, San Diego North Coastal Chapter: For women who are living with or are at risk for heart disease. Call (760) 438-5890.

Mended Hearts: Meets at 10 a.m. every third Saturday of the month at Palomar Medical Center. Affiliated with the American Heart Association. Call (619) 477-7703 or e-mail amendedheart3@aol.com.

Mental health:

National Alliance on Mental Illness:

Escondido: North Inland chapter meets monthly at Kinesis North, 474 W. Vermont Ave., Escondido. Call (760) 745-8381.

Vista: Support group meets Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Tri-City Outpatient Program, 510 W. Vista Way.

Oceanside: Meets Fridays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the North Coastal Mental Health Clinic, in the back parking lot in the trailer, at 1701 Mission Ave. Call (760) 722-3754.

The 12 Steps of Phobics Anonymous: Meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at the North County Alano Club, 4198 Mission Ave. Phobias are characterized by the dread and avoidance of specific objects or situations, such as heights, highway driving, snakes and closed-in places. Call (760) 757-1166.

Treatment and Research Advancements Association for Personality Disorder monthly support group: For family of someone who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. Not for those who have BPD. Call (760) 729-2331.

Multiple Sclerosis:

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Women's Support Group: Meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every third Wednesday in the Cardiff Library's community room, 2081 Newcastle Ave. Call (760) 753-4027.

Ostomy:

Ostomy Support Group of North San Diego County: For ostomy patients or those considering ostomy surgery and their caregivers. Call (760) 433-3440.

Parkinson's disease:

Parkinson's Support Group, Carlsbad: Call (760) 918-9887.

Parkinson's Resource Organization: Meets at the Scripps Mende Well Being, 4305 La Jolla Village Drive. For caregivers, adult children and family members of those with Parkinson's. Call (877) 775-4111. Visit www.parkinsonsresource.org.

North County Parkinson's Support Group: Meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Wednesday of each month at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. Call (760) 940-2763.

Parkinson Support Group of the Joslyn Senior Center, Escondido: Meets the third Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway, Escondido. Call (858) 273-6763.

Post-traumatic stress disorder:

Military Officers' Support Group: Meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays. For active duty and retired military officers experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. E-mail to traumaticstressgroup@yahoo.com or call (858) 334-8038 for exact location.

Post-polio:

North County Post Polio Group: Meets in the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway (in the Joslyn Senior Center complex).Contact (760) 741-5075 or postpolio@cox.net.

Scoliosis:

Scoliosis Association of San Diego: For anyone dealing with scoliosis or seeking information and support for a loved one. Visit www.sdscoliosis.com, e-mail sdscoliosis@yahoo.com or contact Jennifer at (619) 825-9332.

Victims of violent crimes:

Victims/Survivors of NON Domestic Violent Crimes Support Group: Meets 6 p.m. every second Tuesday in Oceanside. For those who have suffered non-domestic violence. Call (760) 497-1150.

Vision:

San Diego Center for the Blind, Vista: Classes for adults with vision impairment, legal blindness or blindness. Learn new skills and gain confidence. Transportation provided. Call (760) 758-5956.

Weight loss

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Carlsbad: Weekly meetings from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Calavera Hills Recreation Center, 2997 Glasgow Drive. Call (858) 831-9201 or visit http://www.tops.org.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Encinitas: Non-profit weight-loss support group meets from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the San Diego County Credit Union, 501 N. El Camino Real. Call (760) 632-9471 or visit http://www.tops.org.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Escondido: 8 to 10 a.m. Fridays at Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut (call Al at 760-745-4535); and 6 to 7:45 p.m. Mondays at Joslyn Senior Center, 210 E. Park Ave. (call Shirley at 760-747-6993).