Addiction Is a Health Condition

Real Treatment, Real Recovery

Options for opioids, alcohol, and other substances

Addiction changes how the brain works, making it very difficult to simply “stop” using substances, even when someone wants to. This is true for opioids, alcohol, and other drugs. Many people in our communities live with addiction in silence, believing it is a moral failure rather than a treatable health condition.

Effective treatments exist, including medications that reduce cravings or prevent relapse, counseling to address trauma and stress, and support groups that connect you with others facing similar challenges. Recovery is rarely a straight line, but each step forward matters.

Tips for seeking help with addiction

● Ask your primary care clinic if they provide addiction treatment or can refer you to trusted programs.

● Involve supportive family or friends if it feels safe to do so.

● Ask about medication‑assisted treatment for opioids or alcohol.

● Learn about harm‑reduction tools like naloxone to reverse opioid overdose.

● Set small, realistic goals and celebrate progress.

When to call your doctor or 911

● Signs of overdose: very slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, blue or gray skin—call 911 and use naloxone if available.

● Severe withdrawal symptoms including seizures, confusion, or chest pain.

● Ongoing relapse and feelings of hopelessness—it is the right time to ask for more support, not to give up.