800.327.5050Addiction is a chronic disease, not a personal choice or weakness. If it’s not treated, addiction becomes more serious, disabling, and dangerous.
But there is hope. Addiction can be treated, and if you are struggling with addiction, you can recover.
The American Psychiatric Association defines addiction as a chronic disorder, and different factors contribute to it. These factors can be: Addiction changes the brain and the body. Over time, these changes increase desire and need. Those cravings affect judgment, motivation, and impulse control. Even though someone might know that alcohol or other drugs cause them trouble, changes in the brain make it difficult or impossible to control the desire to drink or use other drugs. Addiction is a brain disease, but continued drinking and other drug use can seriously impact physical and mental health, and expose people to diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV. Find out more about how alcohol and other drugs affect the mind and body.
What is addiction?
It can be hard to accept that you or a loved one might have a problem with substance use. Realizing that you or someone you love is having trouble with alcohol or other drugs is the first step toward recovery—a life of freedom and possibility. Find out more about how alcohol or other drugs can affect your life, or the life of someone you love. If your loved one doesn’t believe they have a problem or doesn’t want treatment, you can provide them support to seek help. If you care about someone struggling with addiction, it’s also important to learn how to support yourself. Our trained Helpline specialists are here to answer your questions and offer next steps. Call 800.327.5050 8am-10pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-6pm weekends.
How do I identify addiction?
Nearly everyone knows or loves someone struggling with addiction or in recovery. In Massachusetts, one in ten people has substance use disorder, and many people don’t receive treatment (source: Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment in MA, April 2015). Addiction hurts individuals, their relationships and families, and the communities they live in. Overdoses and deaths might stand out in the news, but thousands of people in Massachusetts are struggling quietly with addiction every day.
Who does addiction impact?
You can find help and hope if you’re struggling with other addictions. Learn more below: Gambling Food: Anorexia, bulimia, binging, purging, over-exercising, undereating, or overeating Love, sex, and relationships Shopping/spending
Is there help for other addictions?
Gamblers Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Spenders Anonymous
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