National Recovery
Month
September 2007 is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Recovery Month. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services,
Recovery Month highlights the benefits of substance abuse treatment, celebrates
the contributions of treatment providers, and promotes the message that
treatment works and recovery is possible.
Every year since 1988, Recovery Month has encouraged people
from all walks of life to take action to help improve and expand the
availability of substance abuse treatment for those in need. Celebrated across
the country in cities and towns, big and small, Recovery Month provides an
opportunity to recognize the efforts of people in recovery, as well as those of
their biggest supporters – family, friends, and concerned members of the
community.
Substance abuse crosses all societal boundaries, affects
both genders, every ethnic group, and people in every tax bracket. According to
the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence there are more deaths
and disabilities each year in the U.S. from substance abuse than from
any other cause. About 18 million Americans have alcohol problems; about 5 to 6
million Americans have drug problems. More than half of all adults have a
family history of alcoholism or problem drinking, and more than nine million
children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs. In 2005,
as many as 74 percent of Americans said that addiction had some impact on them
at some point in their lives, whether it was their own personal addiction, that
of a friend or family member, or any other experience with addiction.
Like other diseases, addiction can be overcome. By
increasing access to care, the toll on society and the burden it places on
families can be reduced. Research shows conclusively that successful prevention
and treatment efforts lead to reductions in traffic fatalities, crime, unwanted
pregnancy, child abuse, HIV, cancer and heart disease. Treatment reduces drug
use, improves health, improves job performance, reduces involvement with the
criminal justice system, reduces family dysfunction and improves quality of
life.
Diagnostic and treatment services have changed in recent years
and modern treatment, when adequately provided, enables a great many people to
recover and rebuild productive lives. The evidence demonstrates that treatment
for alcohol and other drug abuse works. Not only does it save lives, it also
saves dollars.
Each year, Recovery Month has a different focus and theme,
and this year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Saving Lives, Saving
Dollars," highlights the financial and human costs of substance abuse, and
illuminates the benefits that investing in treatment can have on those who
enter recovery, their families, and the larger community.
SAVING LIVES, SAVING DOLLARS
Alcohol and drug abuse cost the American economy an
estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, health care expenditures,
crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions. Treatment has proven to be a
cost effective alternative. Researchers have estimated that for every dollar
spent on addiction treatment, seven dollars is saved in reduced health care
costs. As people embark on treatment and recovery, mental and physical health
improves, and their employment and income level increases.
Research shows that substance abuse can be as effectively
treated as many other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, asthma,
and diabetes. But many who enter treatment drop out before receiving all the
benefits, and not everybody who needs treatment gets it. In 2004, approximately
22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older needed treatment for substance abuse
and addiction. Of these, only 3.8 million received it.
Despite the positive outcomes stemming from the treatment of
substance abuse, treatment costs continue to hinder access for many of those in
need. Combined data from 2004 and 2005 indicate that among people who felt they
needed treatment and didn’t get it, 35 percent said they did not receive it
because of cost and insurance barriers.
Nationwide, the total expenditure in 2001 for the treatment
of substance abuse in the United
States was an estimated $18 billion, a tiny
amount when compared to the staggering scope of the problem, underscoring the
need to increase awareness of the impact that substance abuse has on our
communities and highlighting the importance of investing in treatment.
That’s where Recovery Month comes in. Last year, local
Recovery Month events reached almost 4 million people, with television and
radio public service announcements reaching an additional 178 million viewers
and 233 million listeners, respectively.
It takes continued effort and outreach to educate the public
about the benefits of addiction treatment, as well as a conscious decision to
actively work to reduce the stigma and eliminate the barriers that persist.
But, people can have a positive impact by spreading the message that treatment
works and recovery is possible. Supporting recovery not only saves money, it
saves lives.
For Recovery Month
information and materials, visit www.recoverymonth.gov
or call 1-800-662-HELP.