News

Supporting Recovery in our Community

Alcohol and substance abuse is everywhere. We see it in the news, we see it at work and many of us see it in our own personal lives. But, whether we experience the devastating affects of substance abuse personally, or not, as a society we all bear the cost of addiction in our lives.

In 2005, a study by The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that the total cost of alcohol and drug addiction to society was estimated at $500 billion, which is more than the gross domestic product of over 200 countries in the world. And these costs are borne by all of us through the increasing demands on our health care and criminal justice systems.

Untreated, substance abuse and addiction also costs families and communities through drug related violence, property crimes, prison expenses, court and criminal costs, emergency room visits, healthcare utilization, child abuse and neglect, lost child support, foster care and welfare costs, reduced productivity, and unemployment.

The costs to all of us are a direct result of more than 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older in need of treatment for substance (alcohol or illicit drug) abuse and addiction. And sadly it is estimated that only 3.8 million people, for a variety of reasons, will receive it. So what can we as a community, and as individuals, do to help eliminate the devastation of substance abuse in our lives?

Simply put, we can talk about it. And not just about the darkness of addiction but the light of recovery. We can to talk about the power of recovery and why choosing a life in recovery benefits everyone it touches. We can talk to our children, our families and our friends. We can initiate conversations at our workplace, in our places of worship and the communities we live in. And, we must talk to our public officials to insure they are working to eliminate many of the barriers that keep people from seeking the treatment they need. But most importantly, we can come together as a community, through events like The Power of Recovery Walk, and celebrate those who choose recovery and the people that support them. And we can send a message to those still struggling recovery is possible and real. And by doing so, together, we can make a difference!

Note: The message is that a community that pulls together can make a better society for all. It is not enough for a limited number of people to try and clean up the more than 20 million individuals currently addicted to drugs in the United States and to prevent our children from using as well. We must work together, demand effective solutions and decide to take a stand as a group to regain control of our society. It can be done.