On Monday morning I heard a great report on NPR’s Morning Edition about the new U.S. drug Czar, Gil Kerlikowske.  Apparently the Obama administration is placing new emphasis on treatment in their approach to drug policy.  Part of that will include hopes to double drug court funding.  I was so encouraged to hear about this positive shift.  When you consider those dealing with the disease of addiction and if they step outside the law, why would the only option be a prison system where they get no treatment for their disease and often maintain as much if not more access to drugs while incarcerated?  So when they are released, they are back in society, often in worse shape, to continue down the road of destruction to themselves, their loved ones, and the community.  If the courts emphasize treatment, and I do mean intensive multi-modality treatment that challenges and promotes growth and change, as an option then I believe we would see positive change.  And apparently, that’s what many are thinking now too. 

Plus, statistics are showing that communities save over 4 dollars for every dollar spent on treatment.  That savings is in crime reduction and medical care.  This comes from a University of KY study which also showed that participants in treatment programs one year after discharge committed fewer crimes and earned more money. The study’s author Robert Walker said “It suggests that treatment services not only benefit the individual but serve society at large.”  As a side note, my opinion that treatment should be considered in drug court is not to suggest that incarceration is not the appropriate judgement in some cases. 

Source: The Lexington Herald-Leader  http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2008/addiction-treatment-cuts.html

If you’d like to hear the NPR news story in its entirety: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105393165&ft=1&f=1014

Treatment works.  I know it can be frustrating when you see people who have to go to treatment more than once.  But addiction is not an acute disease, it is recurrent.  That means it doesn’t go away just because symptoms and behavior go away, it requires continuous care.  Don’t give up on your loves ones or yourself.  I’ve heard it compared to giving up on insulin as a diabetic just because you had to take insulin again.  I understand flaws in that comparison, but I feel it is appropriate to put addiction clearly in the context of a disease.  I say all of this not as a treatment professional, but as someone who has searched for understanding myself.  One of my favorite scriptures says, “get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”  Proverbs 4:7

Blessings- Ginger

In the midst of some research, I came across some great information from the NCADD that I wanted to share.  The numbers are striking and just reinforce the need for comprehensive treatment options. For more information and the sources to this article click http://www.ncadd.org/facts/numberoneprob.html 

-Blessings, Ginger

Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Are America’s Number One Health Problem

The cost and consequences of alcoholism and drug dependence place an enormous burden on American society. As the nation’s number one health problem, addiction strains the health care system, the economy, harms family life and threatens public safety.

Substance abuse crosses all societal boundaries, affects both genders, every ethnic group, and people in every tax bracket. Scientific documentation defines alcoholism and drug dependence as a disease that has roots in both genetic susceptibility and personal behavior.

 THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

 •             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.  

•             More than nine million children live with a parent dependent on alcohol and/or illicit drugs.  

  THE CONSEQUENCES

 •             One-quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol-related.  

•             Heavy drinking contributes to illness in each of the top three causes of death: heart disease, cancer and stroke.  

•             Almost half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.  

•             Between 48% and 64% of people who die in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.

•             Fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation.

  THE COST

•             Alcohol and drug abuse costs the American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, health care expenditures, crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions.

•             Untreated addiction is more expensive than heart disease, diabetes and cancer combined.

•             Every American adult pays nearly $1,000 per year for the damages of addiction.

  SO, WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Like other diseases, addiction can be overcome with proper treatment, prevention and more research. By increasing access to care, the costly toll on society and the burden it places on families can be reduced. Research shows conclusively that successful prevention and treatment leads 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.

The Comprehensive Assessment Treatment Outcomes Registry Data in Ohio have documented dramatic results in decreasing occupational problems, including the following reductions after treatment:

•             Absenteeism decreased by 89%

•             Tardiness decreased by 92%

•             Problems with supervisors decreased by 56%

•             Mistakes in work decreased by 70%

•             Incomplete work decreased by 81% 13

 Additionally, a California Study found significant decreased health care costs from before to after treatment in:

•             Hospitalizations for physical health problems (-36%)

•             Drug overdose hospitalizations (-58%)

•             Mental health hospitalizations (-44%)

•             The number of emergency room visits (-36%)

•             The total number of hospital days (-25%)  

 Americans increasingly recognize that alcoholism and drug dependence is a disease with consequences that affect both physical and behavioral health. 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.

 It is important that the public be aware of evidence generated by scientific inquiry, clinical evaluation and clinical experience. The evidence demonstrates that treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse works. Treatment not only saves lives, it also saves dollars that would otherwise be spent in other areas of medical care and social services. For every dollar spent on addiction treatment, seven dollars is saved in reduced health care costs.

 The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is dedicated to fighting the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug addictions by providing education, information, help and hope to the public. NCADD advocates prevention, intervention, and treatment through a network of 97 affiliates across the United States. For more information, visit: www.ncadd.org.

 Alcoholism and drug dependence are treatable and millions of people achieve recovery.

Welcome to the Spirit Lake Recovery Blog. All of our staff will be contributing to our blog by posting articles, updates, testimonies, and other useful information. We look forward to this blog being a great place for sharing and encourage your comments.  We are just beginning , so we appreciate your patience. Thank you!