Recovery Month Releases Final Report Highlighting the 2008 Recovery Month Observance
(5/6/09)
This report details the results of the 2008 Recovery Month campaign and the influence it has had on raising community awareness about substance use disorders as a disease, treatment, and recovery. Recovery Month showcases the positive impact community voices can have on those seeking a path of recovery.
Download the
2008 report.
Study Links Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure with Abnormal Brain Development
(5/4/09)
Children exposed to methamphetamine during pregnancy may suffer from altered brain development, Reuters reported April 15.
Read more at Join Together's
website.
More Than 1 in 10 Children Live with a Substance Abusing Parent
(4/29/09)
Almost 12 percent of children under the age of 18 years of age live with at least one parent who was dependent on or abused alcohol or an illicit drug during the past year, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The report is based on national data from 2002 to 2007.
The
entire news article can be found on SAMHSA's website.
Federal Government Seeks Public Comment on Issues Related to the Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
(4/28/09)
The Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act signed into law in October 2008 consolidated longstanding efforts at the national and state level to establish parity between the financial health coverage for mental health/substance abuse conditions, and physical health disorders. The three federal government agencies principally responsible for implementing this law ? the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service -- are issuing a request in the Federal Register seeking information and advice from the public addressing critical issues surrounding the best ways to implement the law and fulfill its objectives.
The
entire news article can be found on SAMHSA's website.
SAMHSA and FDA Join to Educate the Public on the Safe Use of Methadone
(4/28/09)
The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today launched an initiative to help ensure the safe use of methadone. A prescription drug best known as a treatment for addiction and dependence on heroin and other narcotic pain medicines, methadone is also prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe chronic pain patients. The campaign responds to concerns about an escalating number of poisoning deaths linked to the improper use of this medication.
The public outreach effort, Follow Directions: How to Use Methadone Safely, is designed to inform consumers, health care professionals and treatment clinics about the safe use and misuse of the drug for both pain relief and drug addiction treatment.
The
entire news article can be found on SAMHSA's website.
New NIDA Screening Tool Unveiled
(4/23/09)
A new online tool and other resources will help primary-care physicians screen their patients for alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The
entire news article can be found at Join Together's website.
Introducing In The Rooms - an Online Social Networking Site for the Recovery Community
Join
'In The Rooms'- the webs newest and most comprehensive social networking site for the worldwide Recovery community. In The Rooms provides resources for people seeking help or treatment; for people in recovery; and for friends, family and allies of those in recovery. You can join online meetings and affinity groups; browse the library for articles; connect with other resources for Recovery; and take an active role in promoting recovery.
Join here:
www.intherooms.com
Report Identifies Lifesaving Alcohol Laws
(4/09/09)
Laws that prevent alcohol purchases and possession by youth are the most effective at preventing drunk-driving fatalities, according to a new report that also praises as effective license suspensions for underage alcohol offenses and zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21 found with alcohol in their system.
More information can be found at Join Together's site.
NCADD Call for 2009 Recovery Delegate Applications: May 15th Deadline
(4/7/09)
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) is proud to join A&E Network, Faces and Voices of
Recovery, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, National Association of
State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and the Recovery Month
Planning Partners for the 2nd Annual Recovery Rally and Recovery Delegate
Program to be held on Saturday, September 12th in New York City! What a
great way to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month!
Call for 2009 Recovery Delegate
Online Application
Deadline: May 15th
As you know, last year, 5,000 people participated in the New York City Recovery Rally. This year, our goal is 10,000! One of the highlights of the rally was the recognition of 51 Recovery Delegates from across the country (all 50 states and Washington, DC).
Last year, A&E, in partnership with NCADD, created the Recovery Delegate
Program to bring national attention to recovery by honoring individuals in
long-term recovery who were active in their local community. A&E, NCADD and
our partners secured hundreds of applications from across the country and
51 Recovery Delegates came to New York City, where more than 5,000 people
formed a human bridge of recovery on the Brooklyn Bridge! What a
remarkable site!
Recovery Delegates are people in long-term recovery, over 10 years and have
been active in the promotion of addiction awareness in their community.
Through the generous support of A&E, all Recovery Delegates will:
- Airfare/Hotel: Receive complimentary airfare and hotel
in NYC from September 11-13, 2009
- Lead The Rally: Lead the procession of thousands
(hopefully 10,000) across the historic Brooklyn Bridge
- Media: Their recovery story will be highlighted/shared
with local and national media
Call for 2009 Recovery Delegate
Online Application
Deadline: May 15th
Save the Date! 2nd Annual Recovery Rally Saturday September 12th,
2009 in New York City
(4/7/09)
On Saturday, September 12th join thousands in NYC to celebrate the
20th anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
Together, we can raise national awareness that addiction is a treatable
disease, and recovery is possible.
Read more at A&E TV's site or download the
flyer.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
(4/1/09)
In 2007, 23.3 percent of persons (almost 58 million people aged 12 or older participated in binge drinking at least once in the 30 days prior to taking SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That same year, approximately 17 million adults reported drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion on each of 5 or more days in the past 30 days.
To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse, April is designated "Alcohol Awareness Month."
If you suspect that you might have a drinking problem, or you know someone who abuses alcohol, please contact SAMHSA's Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7.
Read more on SAMHSA's site
New Report Reveals Treatment Admissions for Prescription Pain Killers are on the Rise
(3/17/09)
Largest Share of Treatment Admissions is Still for Alcohol
Abuse, But Has Significantly Decreased Over the Past Decade
Treatment admissions for prescription pain killer misuse has
risen dramatically over the past decade - from
constituting 1 percent of all admissions in 1997 to now
representing 5 percent, according to a report by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2007 Highlights report
also indicates that although alcohol-related admissions still
account for the largest share (40 percent) of the 1.8 million
treatment admissions occurring throughout the country during
2007, this reflects a reduction from 50 percent in 1997.
Read more on SAMHSA's site
New Website Offers Tools to Assess and Address Drinking Risks
(3/11/09)
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
has created a new website called "Rethinking Drinking," designed
to help users define their drinking patterns and develop
strategies and options for dealing with alcohol-related
problems.
Read more at Join Together's site
SAMHSA Supports National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (March 15-21, 2009)
(3/11/09)
SAMHSA supports National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week
(NIPAW) and its efforts to increase understanding about the use
and risks of inhalants. NIPAW is sponsored by the National
Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC). NIPC promotes awareness of
the underpublicized problem of inhalant use.
Read more at SAMHSA's site
Levels of Smokeless Tobacco Use Increase among
Adolescent Males
(3/5/09)
Findings indicate that most smokeless tobacco users are former
or current cigarette smokers
The levels of current smokeless tobacco use increased
significantly among adolescent males (aged 12 to 17) from 3.4
percent in 2002 to 4.4 percent in 2007, according to a report
based on a series of nationwide surveys. This report shows that
the rate of current use of smokeless tobacco (i.e., use within
the past month) among the whole population aged 12 and older has
remained relatively stable during the same period (in the range
of 3.0 to 3.3 percent).
Read more at SAMHSA's site
Download the News Release
New PATS Study: More Teens 'Learning a Lot' about Drug Risks
From Parents
(2/27/09)
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) announced the
findings from the 2008 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study
(PATS), which revealed the first major increase in the number of
teens who reported 'learning a lot' about the risks of drugs
from their parents.
Read more at Join Together's site
New Reports Highlight Important Substance Abuse, Mental Health,
Treatment and Grant Information for Each State and the District
of Columbia
(2/9/09)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) has developed 51 new short reports providing key
information about the level of substance abuse and mental health
problems prevalent in the population (age 12 and older) of each
state and the District of Columbia. The reports also provide
data on treatment facilities and admission data for each state
and the District of Columbia, as well as the funding each state
and the District of Columbia received from SAMHSA.
Read more at SAMHSA's site
New Information Briefs Provide Employers Valuable Advice on Cost Effective Ways of Helping Employees Needing Substance Abuse Treatment
(1/15/09)
Employers now have free access to a series of 14 two-page briefs outlining the benefits (including financial) of helping their employees receive treatment for substance abuse. The 14 briefs were developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
"Surveys have shown that 76 percent of people with drug or alcohol problems are employed and that their problems can have an enormous impact on productivity," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick. "Our goal is to educate employers about cost effective measures that can be taken to identify employees with substance abuse problems and help return them to full health and productivity."
Read more at SAMHSA's site
Go directly to the briefs
New Nationwide Report Reveals that 5 Million People Participate in Self-Help Groups Each Year
(11/24/08)
New data indicate that 2.3 million people who participate in self-help
groups for alcohol or illicit drug use currently abstain from use of these
substances. Based on a nationwide survey conducted by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the report
offers other data highlighting the use and benefits of these groups. "This
report adds to the substantial body of research indicating that
participation in self-help groups can help support people battling
substance abuse problems," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric
Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. "Self-help groups often are used in conjunction
with specialty treatment and to support individuals seeking help or
sustaining their recovery."
Read more at SAMHSA's site
New National Poll Reveals Public Attitudes on Substance Abuse, Treatment and the Prospects of Recovery
(9/30/08)
Finds some significant differences in perceptions among various population groups. Nearly half of American adults
report knowing someone in recovery from the use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, according to survey results announced
today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Read more at SAMHSA's site