Family Services

Substance use disorder (SUD) is often called “a family disease”. What this means is that a person misusing substances, despite their intentions, often behaves in ways that adversely affect their friends, family, and other loved ones. It is important for the family members to acknowledge the very real effects someone’s substance misuse has had on their thinking, relations with others, occupation, and family dynamics. It is also important for families, especially children, to have an opportunity to address these negative effects in a healthy supportive environment. This is true even if the person suffering the substance misuse issue is receiving treatment.

The stigma surrounding SUD for both people with SUD and their loved ones can be isolating. Learning about resources to support yourselves and your loved ones with SUD is important to reduce stigma, gain knowledge of SUD, and heal.

Support after an Overdose

SADOD provides resources, information, and assistance to people throughout Massachusetts who have been affected by the death of someone they care about from a substance-use-related cause. Our focus is on increasing the capacity and effectiveness of peer grief support for bereaved people, direct service providers, and people in recovery or struggling with drug use.  Visit web page here.