More than 16 million adults and 2 million adolescent Americans need treatment for illicit drug and alcohol use disorders each year (2005 NSDUH). Scientific and empirical data indicate that severe alcohol and other drug use is a chronic medical disorder that leads to a wide range of health and social issues. Like other chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma; substance use disorders (SUDs) are influenced by genetic heritability, can be diagnosed, influenced by behaviors and further exacerbated by neurobiological changes in the brain, marked by patterns of onset that may be sudden or gradual, have a prolonged or permanent course, accompanied by risks of pathophysiology, disability and premature death, have effective treatments-self management protocols-peer support frameworks-similar remission rates.
Moreover this is a public heath imperative that leads to a wide range of health and social consequences (lung cancer, heart disease, liver and kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, drunk driving accidents, suicide disorders, binge drinking, child abuse/neglect, gambling, and criminality). Research has shown that drug abuse treatment is both effective and cost effective in reducing not only drug consumption but also the associated health and social consequences. Statistics indicate that the fastest and most cost effective way to reduce the demand for illicit drugs is to treat this chronic disorder.
Extensive research supports that recovery exists on a continuum of improved health and wellness. Recovery from alcohol and drug problems is a process of change through which an individual achieves abstinence and improved health, wellness, and quality of life.
Recommendation: Scientific and empirical data support a public health policy that integrates SUDs that builds on the responsibility of the individual, family and community resulting in recovery-wellness-health for all three. This integrated health care delivery system model would include primary prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support services and would require services that are outcomes-driven, competency-based, research-based and culturally appropriate. A coordinated, publically-oriented approach with systems such as mental health, justice, veterans affairs, child welfare and primary healthcare will not only save lives by reducing harm (automobile accidents, second-hand smoke, criminality, suicide, PTSD); and address the potential impact of the resulting increased vulnerability to SUDs, mental illness, homelessness, family violence, unemployment, and lost human potential of returning veterans but also save the country millions of dollars by reducing hospital visits, cost of incarceration for non-violent substance using offenders, decreased healthcare insurance payments, enhanced employment and self-sufficiency.
