A few drinks after work. A little weed to calm down. Porn, gaming, or gambling to escape. At first, it takes the edge off. But over time, the relief fades—and the habit takes over.
For many men, substance use or compulsive coping starts as a way to manage stress. But when it turns into the main way you handle life, it starts to cost you more than it gives back.
At Mister Health, we specialize in helping men across Massachusetts break unhealthy coping cycles—not with shame or judgment, but with practical strategies to take back control.
Now it feels like a crutch.
Substance Use & Coping Counseling for Men in Massachusetts
It started as stress relief.
What substance use looks like in men
In men, it often looks like:
If you’ve noticed these patterns, you’re not weak—you’re stressed, and you’ve leaned on quick fixes that stopped working.
Drinking more nights than you’d like to admit
Using weed or vaping just to feel “normal”
Numbing out with porn, scrolling, or video games for hours
Gambling or risk-taking that’s hard to stop
Saying “I can quit anytime”—but never quite quitting
Hiding habits from your partner, friends, or family
Substance use and unhealthy coping don’t always mean rock-bottom addiction.
Guilt, shame, and frustration at yourself for “not stopping.”
Self-Respect
Poor sleep, weight changes, high stress on the body.
Health
Work
Relationships
These aren't character flaws.
Partners lose trust, intimacy suffers, kids notice.
Missed deadlines, low energy, poor focus.
They’re signs that your old strategies aren’t working anymore—and it’s time for new ones.
The cost of coping the wrong way
Ignoring it doesn’t make it better. Over time, unhealthy coping takes a toll:
How counseling helps men take back control
Therapy at Mister Health isn’t about lecturing you or forcing you into labels. It’s about giving you tools to live the life you actually want.
We help men across Massachusetts:
Identify Triggers: Understand what stressors lead you to drink, use, or escape.
Build New Coping Strategies: Tools to handle stress, anger, or loneliness without destructive habits.
Break the Cycle: Learn how to shift from automatic habits to intentional choices.
Rebuild Relationships: Repair trust with partners, kids, and friends.
Strengthen Confidence: Feel proud of the man you’re becoming—not weighed down by shame.
Boston-Based, Statewide Access: Virtual sessions available anywhere in Massachusetts.
Led by Dr. Michael Stokes: Licensed therapist with years of experience helping men rebuild healthier coping skills and break free from destructive cycles.
Why men work with Mister Health
Private & Convenient: Discreet online therapy without commutes or waiting rooms.
Therapy Built for Men: Direct, practical, no fluff.
Note: To work with Mister Health, you must be located in Massachusetts at the time of your session.
35, Worcester
Eric
"I thought I was just stressed, but Dr. Mike helped me see I was burned out and depressed. Having someone who gets men made the difference."
42, Boston
James
"I didn’t think therapy was for me. I figured I’d just deal with it. But after a few sessions, I realized how much I’d been carrying. For the first time in years, I feel like myself again."
What men say about therapy
12
Mister Health provides divorce & breakup recovery counseling statewide:
Boston • Worcester • Springfield • Cambridge • Lowell • Brockton • Quincy • Lynn • New Bedford • Fall River • All of Massachusetts
Imagine handling stress differently
That’s possible. Counseling can help you get there.
Virtual counseling for men across Massachusetts.
198 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
(617) 7-MISTER hello@misterhealth.com
Picture this: finishing work and actually relaxing—without needing a drink. Handling conflict with your partner without numbing out. Having energy for your kids, your goals, your life. Waking up clear-headed and confident.
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