Reaching out to underserved communities brought Mathew Vangel and his wife Jackie face to face with addiction, and now they’re doing something about it, but not how you might think.

The Vangels, a Dartmouth couple, have chosen to focus their attention on the family and friends of addicts through two support groups, one in Mattapoisett and the other in their own town.

“An addict has to make that decision to stop using and the same thing with an individual – we have to make the decision to stop blaming ourselves. We’re human beings, we all make mistakes, but also there are things we’re not in control of. We need to forgive ourselves,” said Mathew Vangel.

Vangel, a 57-year-old seminary student and active member of Dartmouth Bible Church, said the goal of the REGAIN Addiction Support Group is to offer hope and support to those who have been affected by addiction. The decision to start the group came after the Vangels saw the effects of drug and alcohol abuse first hand while ministering to people in local communities.

One night Vangel even helped save the life of someone who overdosed.

While picking up a prescription at Walgreens earlier that day, the pharmacist unexpectedly gave Vangel Narcan, a drug that can reverse the effects of an opiate overdose. After a class later that evening at a rehabilitation clinic in Fall River, a woman discovered an unresponsive man outside.

Using the Narcan he’d received earlier that day, Vangel and others from the class revived the man, who had overdosed on heroin. He also happened to be the son of the woman Vangel sat next to in the meeting.

For Vangel, this is evidence that God is at work, and he said, “All of those people who didn’t believe in God thought of the possibility that there could be a God.”

The Vangels want to share their faith as they serve the community, but they also aren’t trying to push their beliefs on others. In starting REGAIN, they want to create a safe, stigma-free zone that encourages healing for individuals and for families ravaged and separated by addiction.

It’s about “regaining what’s been lost, regaining trust, honesty, everything that you’ve lost from the effects of addiction,” Vangel said.

The bi-monthly meetings in each town allow people to talk about their loved ones ­– some who may have passed away and others who are still deep in addiction. If people don’t want to talk, that’s OK, too.

Said Vangel, “It’s having a great cup of coffee, a hug, sharing tears and then meeting people to know that you’re not alone in this.”

Plus, there are always good snacks provided by Jackie.

At the end of meetings, participants have the option to stay and pray with the Vangels.

Mattapoisett Public Health Nurse Amanda Stone said this is the first support group of its kind in the tri-town as far as she knows, and while it may take time for the community to accept it, there is a need.

“Our communities are also struggling with this in some of the ways that larger communities are,” she said. “Our hope is that they’ll see it as a safe place to come.”

She added, “Our feeling is, even if one family can be helped in any way, then it’s worth it, [and] we have already helped more than one family.”

In Mattapoisett, the meetings are held at the Council on Aging, 17 Barstow St., the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

In Dartmouth, the meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the District 3 Fire Station, 140 Cross Road, North Dartmouth, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Whether rain or snow or sleet or hail, the Vangels are committed to being at the meetings, which are free for participants.

“If no one shows up, we’re still there the full time. We’re committed for anyone who wants to come.”

For more information, call 774-328-6196 or email healing@regainsupport.com.