After 20 years of educating communities nationwide about the urgent need to address addiction in this country, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are taking National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) to new audiences. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal,” encourages people to educate themselves and others about the new tools available on the Internet that can help people who suffer from substance use disorders and their families. The following guide will give you an overview of addiction, recovery, and how to get help.
The addiction, treatment, and recovery landscape has changed since the inception of Recovery Month. Positive developments include:
- Medication-assisted treatment options are better understood today and are used more widely to help people heal.1
- People are recognizing that addiction is a disease and not a character flaw.2
- People in recovery have become open about their experiences with substance use disorders.3
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A Common Problem
In 2007, an estimated 23.2 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for a substance use disorder in the United States.4 Even though the rate of current illicit drug use among youths aged 12 to 17 has declined significantly from 2002 to 2007, it's startling to see how many young people start using substances at an early age.5 For example, in 2007:
- 85.9 percent of people aged 12 or older who initiated alcohol use in the past year did so before they reached the legal age of 21.6
- Among people aged 12 to 49 who initiated inhalant use in the past year, the average age at first use was 17.1 years. For marijuana, the average age at first use was 17.6 years, and it was 20.2 years for cocaine, 20.2 years for Ecstasy, and 21.2 years for the nonmedical use of pain relievers.7
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Healing a Disease Through Recovery
Addiction is a disease, and just like any other chronic illness, it can be recovered from:
- Treatment and recovery support services are as effective as treatments for other diseases, such as asthma or diabetes.8
- Recovery positively affects individuals, families, and communities.
A holistic and recovery-oriented approach to overcome substance use disorders uses a wide range of age-, gender-, culturally, faith-based, and drug-appropriate services designed to help people recover physically, mentally, and spiritually.
The recovery process is specific to the person and his or her family and friends. Elements may include:
- Receiving medical attention through detoxification and individual and/or group therapy in an inpatient treatment setting
- Focusing on improving overall health and redefining oneself
- Exploring spirituality through faith-based communities
- Changing social interactions and expanding social networks – particularly to include others in recovery and participate in mutual support groups
- Empowering oneself by helping others9
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The Internet — A Recovery Resource
The Internet is becoming an increasingly effective tool for spreading recovery information. Studies show:
- About three-quarters of all adults in America use the Internet. Most (75 percent) search for health information online.10,11
- People of all ethnic and age groups within the United States take advantage of the more than 70 different online recovery programs and services available.12
Online forums offer a community for people to share their experiences, challenges, and questions about recovery. Treatment services that are offered online can help people in rural areas and cities who may have problems with transportation to in-person treatment services. SAMHSA is taking notice of this new trend, and in 2008 devoted one of its Road to Recovery Webcast episodes to “Accessing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Online,” which can be viewed at http://www.recoverymonth.gov.13
Another important resource is SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP, for toll-free information and treatment referrals in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day.
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Together We Learn, Together We Heal
When celebrating Recovery Month this September, teach people and their families who may be affected about how the Internet can help support their loved ones in their treatment and recovery process. Addiction is a health problem, so do your part to let those who suffer from it know that help exists. By supporting someone who is affected, you are making a positive change in the way substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery are perceived in your community.
- SAMHSA's “Find Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment” Web site — Lists resources about mental health, substance abuse, and treatment
- The Sober Recovery Community — Offers support forums for people in recovery, as well as family and friends
- Sober.com — Provides message boards for people in recovery and also provides recovery coaching from professional counselors
- eGetGoing — Helps people new to recovery through online support groups led by certified counselors
- Shouting Inside — Helps young people who misuse substances share their stories and their struggles with like-minded young people. The site is hosted by Recovery Resources of Cleveland, OH.
Click here for a longer version that expands on this overview. Information about treatment options and services in your area can be found at http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment, a portal that includes a database of more than 11,000 U.S. treatment options and additional treatment resources, as well as by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
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Sources
1 Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 40: Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 04-3939. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2004, section entitled “Introduction: Historical context.”
2 CARAVAN® Survey for SAMHSA on Addictions and Recovery Fact Sheet. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Communications, 2008, p.1.
3 “Voices for Recovery.” National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Web site: http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2009/voices/. Accessed November 18, 2008.
4 Results From the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 08-4343. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies, September 2008, p. 71.
5 Ibid, p. 1.
6 Ibid, pp. 55, 56.
7 Ibid, p. 50.
8 Pathways of Addiction: Opportunities in Drug Abuse Research. National Academy Press. Washington, D.C.: Institute of Medicine, 1996.
9 National Summit on Recovery Conference Report. DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 07-4276. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, September 2007, p. 7.
10 “Demographics of Internet Users.” Pew Internet & American Life Project Web site: http://www.pewinternet.org/trends.asp. Accessed August 11, 2008.
11 “Internet Activities.” Pew Internet & American Life Project Web site: http://www.pewinternet.org/trends.htm. Accessed August 11, 2008.
12 Hall, Margery J., Ph.D. and Tidwell, Wendell C., B.S. “Internet recovery for substance abuse and alcoholism: an exploratory study of service users.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Volume 24, Issue 2, March 2003, pp. 161-167.
13 Torres, I., et al. “Accessing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Online.” Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Road to Recovery Webcast Series, August 6, 2008.
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