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Addiction Education & Support

Why This Matters

Substance use disorders affect individuals, families, workplaces, and communities across the country. The impacts can include health complications, disrupted relationships, challenges at work or school, and emotional strain for loved ones.

At the same time, decades of scientific research have led to effective prevention strategies, evidence-based treatments, and recovery supports. When addiction is approached with compassion, accuracy, and accountability—rather than shame—outcomes improve.

Reducing stigma is a critical part of this work. Stigma can prevent people from seeking care, delay treatment, and worsen health outcomes. Education plays a powerful role in changing that.

Learn the Basics

  • What is addiction?
    Addiction is a chronic, treatable medical condition involving changes in brain function and behavior.

  • Is addiction a brain disease?
    Advances in neuroscience show how substances affect brain circuits related to reward, decision-making, and stress—helping explain why relapse can occur and why treatment works.

  • Is recovery possible?
    Yes. With appropriate treatment, support, and time, many people recover or significantly improve their quality of life.

  • Have questions?
    Explore our Addiction FAQs for clear, evidence-based answers about treatment, recovery, relapse, and finding care.

For Individuals and Loved Ones

You may be here because you’re concerned about your own use, worried about someone you care about, or simply trying to understand more. All of those reasons are valid.

Resources in this section address common questions, including:

  • How to recognize when alcohol or drug use may be becoming a problem

  • What treatment and recovery can look like

  • How to support someone without shame or blame

  • How to talk about substance use in ways that reduce harm and stigma

Evidence-Based Perspectives

The following resources reflect current scientific and medical understanding of addiction and recovery:

These materials explain addiction using medical, public health, and neuroscience frameworks that emphasize treatment, recovery, and human dignity.

Substance-Specific Information

Learn more about how specific substances affect health and behavior:

These resources provide factual, balanced information to support informed decision-making.

A Note on Language and Respect

The way we talk about addiction matters. Stigmatizing language can unintentionally cause harm, while respectful, accurate language supports healing and accountability.

If you are here seeking answers, help, or clarity—for yourself or someone else—you are not alone. Support is available, and recovery is possible.