Battling an alcohol or drug use disorder—which includes misuse, dependence, or addiction to alcohol and/or legal or illegal drugs—can be an ongoing and difficult journey, as you may know from your own experience or that of a loved one. Denial, stigma, or the cost of treatment can act as barriers to seeking effective treatment.1
Sharing your experience of recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders can inspire others who have not yet begun recovery. Additionally, your words of encouragement can have an impact on the children and other family members of people with alcohol and drug use disorders. About 11 percent of children in the United States have at least one parent who is in need of treatment for alcohol- or drug-dependency. As many as one in four children—19 million children or 28.6 percent of children under the age of 18—lives in a home where problems with alcohol alone are a fact of daily life, but other adults can make a positive difference in these children's lives.2, 3
Alcohol and drug use disorders also have a significant impact on spouses and others who are close to people with such disorders. Family problems that are frequently associated with families affected by alcoholism include increased family conflict; emotional or physical violence; and increased family stress including work problems, illness, marital strain, and financial problems.4 Clearly, the effects of helping one person achieve recovery from an alcohol or drug use disorder can improve a multitude of lives.
Following is some information you may want to use in your efforts to help those facing barriers to treatment understand that treatment is effective and recovery is possible.
Why Do People Need Treatment?
Most people try to stop their cycle of substance use on their own, but this approach does not always work. Long-term drug use causes changes in the brain that persist long after someone stops using drugs, making it difficult to quit. Additionally, because alcohol and drug use disorders are chronic conditions, occasional relapses are common.5
For these reasons, many people require more than just a short-term, one-time treatment program. Treatment becomes a long-term process that involves multiple steps, including many attempts to steer clear of harmful substances. But even brief treatment programs can make a difference.6
How Can Treatment Help?7, 8
In addition to helping people stop using substances that can harm them, treatment can help people become more productive at work, at home, and in their communities. Effective treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders varies with the type of substance the person has misused, as well as the person's personal needs and characteristics. In most cases, the process starts with an assessment so that an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Treatment is offered in different settings, including residential and day care programs, as well as outpatient settings. As a component of treatment, some people may require medical detoxification (detox), a process under the care of a physician that helps manage physical withdrawal symptoms that can occur when someone stops taking a drug or other substance.
Treatment also may include behavioral therapy (such as counseling, cognitive therapy, or psychotherapy), medications, or a combination of both. Behavioral therapies offer people strategies for coping with their cravings, teach them ways to avoid drugs and alcohol and prevent relapse, and help them deal with relapse if it occurs.
During and after the treatment program, a range of testing, transitional, and after care (follow-up) services—such as mutual support groups—frequently are offered to assist with health care, employment, family concerns, and other issues critical to reaching and sustaining recovery.
What Kinds of Programs Are Available?
The process of recovery is personal. Achieving recovery involves many pathways: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. To be most effective, a person's treatment plan should be based on his or her individual needs.9
Some people find that faith- and community-based organizations offer them the personalized treatment they need. Places of worship, such as churches, synagogues, mosques or others, can foster people's faith in the possibility that they can change. Places of worship can use their existing community networks to promote the message of recovery.10
To help people gain access to the type of treatment programs that are right for them, President Bush has launched the Access to Recovery initiative and grant program, which gives people the power to choose treatment programs that reflect their values and needs. Access to Recovery provides vouchers to pay for a range of effective, community-based substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services. The initial $100 million installment of funding for the program is in the 2004 budget for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
More information about Access to Recovery is available from SAMHSA at www.samhsa.gov.
Making a Difference: What Can I Do?
Share your story. If you are recovering from an alcohol or drug use disorder, your success story may be the catalyst that encourages others to seek treatment. If you have a spouse, children or other loved ones who might be comfortable speaking about how your recovery has affected them, you may want to ask them to share their story as well.
Consider your language. It is important for all of us to carefully monitor what we say and how we say it, as sometimes we may use language that carries negative connotations, without realizing it. The key is to remain positive and serve as a catalyst for change.
Foster education and discussion. Keep leaders in your community up-to-date on alcohol and drug use disorders information. Resources for the latest information are listed at the back of this fact sheet. Additionally, encourage an open dialogue in your community about issues relating to treatment and recovery.
Making a Difference: How Can I Contribute to Recovery Month?
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a nationwide celebration that highlights the benefits of treating alcohol and drug use disorders and promotes the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders is possible. You can help make recovery a reality for others by taking specific actions during Recovery Month 2004, such as the activities suggested below:
Take part in local events. Volunteer to assist in organizing Recovery Month events this September. Offer to be a spokesperson who can put a face on recovery and testify to its positive impact. Use your ties to the recovery community to enlist the help of others to make the event as diverse and representative of the recovering population in your area as possible.
If you do not know of any activities or events taking place in your area during Recovery Month, check the official Recovery Month Web site at www.recoverymonth.gov. (Click on the 2004 icon and look under events.) You also can ask your local treatment program/services provider, county or State alcohol and other drug agency, or legislator. If no activities are scheduled, offer to help develop some. Community-based associations, foundations, local businesses, and faith-based organizations are some groups you can work with when organizing an event.
Submit an op-ed to your local newspaper. During Recovery Month, you may wish to submit an opinion piece to your local paper that discusses treatment and recovery. For suggestions, review the op-ed template in this planning toolkit. Consider topics such as the need to improve access to recovery, the lack of adequate and affordable treatment programs/services, and the need for stigma reduction to encourage more people to seek treatment.
Volunteer for media interviews. You can help influence public opinion and decision-makers via local media interviews during Recovery Month. Contact local community radio and television stations to suggest one-on-one interviews in which you share your story to help others. You may be interviewed by the host of your local cable access news or community issues show. Weekend public affairs programs may be more oriented to social issues and open to talking with new guests.
For additional Recovery Month materials, visit our Web site at www.recoverymonth.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP.
Recovery Community Resources
Federal
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) Information on treatment programs, publications, funding opportunities, and resources 5600 Fishers Lane Rockwall II
Rockville, MD 20857
301-443-5052 www.samhsa.gov/centers/csat2002
HHS, SAMHSA National Directory of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment Programs SAMHSA National Helpline Confidential information on alcohol and drug use disorder treatment and referral 800-662-HELP (800-662-4357) (Toll-Free)
800-487-4889 (TDD) (Toll-Free)
877-767-8432 (Spanish) (Toll-Free) www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Mutual Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous
Support group that provides sponsorship and a twelve step program for life without alcohol 475 Riverside Drive, 11t h Floor
New York, NY 10115
212-870-3400
www.aa.org
Al-Anon/Alateen
Support for families and friends of alcoholics Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
888-4AL-ANON/888-425-2666 (Toll-Free) www.al-anon.alateen.org
Hope Networks/We Recover
Supports community efforts regarding treatment, job skills, living skills, and retraining programs to reduce poverty, crime, and illiteracy found in untreated communities 8867 Highland Road Suite 320
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
888-472-0786 (Toll-Free) www.hopenetworks.org
Narcotics Anonymous
Organization for people recovering from a drug use disorder P.O. Box 9999
Van Nuys, CA 91409
818-773-9999 www.na.org
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
Public awareness and advocacy for children of alcohol- and drug-dependent parents 11426 Rockville Pike, Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20852
888-55-4COAS (888-554-2627) (Toll-Free) www.nacoa.org
Therapeutic Communities of America Specialized substance use disorder treatment services 1601 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 803
Washington, D.C. 20009
202-296-3503 www.therapeuticcommunitiesofamerica.org
Tools to Help People in Recovery
Association of Persons Affected by Addiction A non-profit organization designed to engage the consumer and recovery community voice in reducing stigma and enhancing services 2438 Butler Street, Suite 120
Dallas, TX 75235
214-634-APAA www.apaarecovery.org
Legal Action Center
A non-profit law and policy organization that fights discrimination against people with histories of substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, or criminal records, and advocates for sound public policies in these areas 236 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 505
Washington, D.C. 20002
202-544-5478 www.lac.org
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
Education and information on drug and alcohol prevention, intervention, and treatment
20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902
New York, NY 10005-3201
800-NCA-CALL (Hope Line) (Toll-Free)
212-269-7797 www.ncadd.org
Vera Institute of Justice - La Bodega de la Familia
Family- and community-based recovery services for people on parole or probation
272 East Third Street, Avenue C
New York, NY 10009
212-982-2335 www.vera.org
Recovery Community Advocacy
Association of Recovery Schools
An association that brings together students and secondary and post-secondary schools, and helps professionals to support students in recovery from alcohol or other drug dependence 117 Lyle Lane
Nashville, TN 37210
615-248-8206 www.recoveryschools.org
Faces and Voices of Recovery A national recovery advocacy campaign mobilizing people in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction and their family members, friends, and allies
1010 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 708
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-737-0690 www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
A family-run organization focused on children and adolescents with mental health needs and their families. 1101 King Street, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-7710 www.ffcmh.org
Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery
Education and awareness in New England about the benefits of recovery
c/o Boston ASAP 30 Winter Street, Third Floor
Boston, MA 02108
617-423-6627 www.neaar.org/moar
Sources
Improving Substance Abuse Treatment: The National Treatment Plan Initiative, Changing the Conversation. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 00-3479. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2000, p. iii.
You Can Help: A Guide for Caring Adults Working With Young People Experiencing Addiction in the Family. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 01-3544. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2002, brochure.
Grant, Bridget F., Estimates of US Children Exposed to Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in the Family, American Journal of Public Health, January 2000, Vol. 90, No. 1, p. 103.
El Guebaly, N. & Offord, D.R., 1997. The offspring of alcoholics: a critical review, American Journal of Psychiatry, 134:4, pp. 357-365.
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide. NIH Publication No. 99-4180. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, October 1999/Reprinted July 2000, p. 5.
Gentilello LM, et al. Alcohol interventions in a trauma center as a means of reducing the risk of injury recurrence. Annals of Surgery. 1999 Oct; 230(4): discussion 480-3, pp. 473-80.
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide, p. 3.
Drug and Alcohol Services Information System: The DASIS Report. "Services Provided by Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities." Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, August 29, 2003, Table 1.
Improving Substance Abuse Treatment: The National Treatment Plan Initiative, Changing the Conversation, p. 11.
Meacham, J. The Gospel Truth. The Washington Monthly, December 1993, pp. 8-14.
