Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted, but for many what starts as casual use leads to drug addiction. Drug addiction can cause serious, long-term consequences including problems with physical and mental health, relationships, employment and the law. You may need help from your doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program in Massachusetts to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

Are you struggling with a drug problem in Massachusetts that’s spiraled out of control? If so, you may feel isolated, helpless, or ashamed. Or perhaps you’re worried about a friend or family member’s drug use. In either case, you’re not alone. Drug addiction in Massachusetts is a problem that many people face.

The good news is that you or your loved one can get better. There is hope—no matter how bad the substance abuse problem and no matter how powerless you feel. Learning about the nature of addiction—how it develops, what it looks like, and why it has such a powerful hold—will give you a better understanding of the problem and how to deal with it.

Drug addiction in Massachusetts is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. People who are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol, even in the face of negative consequences. This self-destructive behavior can be hard to understand. Why continue doing something that’s hurting you? Why is it so hard to stop?

The answer lies in the brain. Repeated drug use alters the brain—causing long-lasting changes to the way it looks and functions. These brain changes interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. These changes are also responsible, in large part, for the drug cravings and compulsion to use that make addiction so powerful.

Call [PHONE NUMBER} to talk to someone who can help you to find the right drug treatment program in Massachusetts that will best suit the needs of the individual struggling with addiction. By seeking treatment in Massachusetts, you are helping yourself or a loved one to repair the damage caused by addiction and to establish a foundation for success and recovery.

If you’re not yet sure that your family member or a friend or yourself is addicted or needs treatment, call [PHONE NUMBER} to speak with someone who can help, or get a free, confidential, online addiction assessment now.