Taking the First Step

If you have determined that alcohol or other drug use is interfering with your health and well-being, you have already taken the first and most important step in making a change. If you are ready to ask for help, you can call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800.327.5050 8am-10pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-6pm weekends. You can also learn more about what treatment options exist for your specific needs by answering a few questions here.

If you care about someone with substance use disorder, learn how you can help them and how to get support for yourself. Parents of youth and young adults can find additional resources here.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides tips on selecting a treatment provider and questions to commonly asked questions, including a brief guide called Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask containing five questions to ask when searching for a treatment program:

1. Does the program use treatments backed by scientific evidence?
2. Does the program tailor treatment to the needs of each patient?
3. Does the program adapt treatment as the patient’s needs change?
4. Is the duration of treatment sufficient?
5. How do 12-step or similar recovery programs fit into drug addiction treatment?

To learn more and to view the guide in its entirety, visit the NIDA website.