Press & Media - Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor - http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/aug/28/letters_editor14207/
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Addiction treatment
The news lately has been full of topics related to the harmful effects of drug
and alcohol use on individuals and our society. A recent article in The Post
and Courier stated, "More than 30 percent of American adults have abused
alcohol or suffered from alcoholism at some point in their lives, and few have
received treatment even though research indicates treatment is more effective
than treatment for many other (medical) disorders." This highlights that
addiction is a public health crisis.
According to the Institute for Research, Education and Training in Addictions, for $1,000 invested in addictions treatment, the taxpayer saves at least $7,460 in costs to society of incarceration, drug-related crimes, hospitalizations and other societal ills. South Carolina taxpayers could save an estimated $2.5 billion a year. Treatment, for many, is inaccessible due to caps on insurance, lack of funds, embarrassment or fear of repercussions.
Prevention and treatment have proven to be highly cost-effective. In 2005, nearly 77 percent of adults classified with substance-use disorders were employed.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that drug use disorders alone are estimated to cost American businesses approximately $128.6 billion in lost productivity each year, and alcohol dependence alone is estimated to causes 500 million lost workdays annually. Reported job productivity issues are reduced by 75 percent among employees who have received the benefit of treatment for these disorders.
While other organizations such as the Autism Society of America or the National Association of Mental Illness were advocating for equal health care coverage, or insurance parity at the congressional level, people advocating for addiction treatment were absent from the table and access to treatment services continues to dwindle.
Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) is a non-profit grass roots organization that is working to remove barriers to treatment, put an end to discrimination, and achieve a just response to addiction as a public health crisis. FAVOR is currently in the process of forming a chapter in Charleston and invites you to join.
Long term recovery is achievable and a reality in millions of people's lives. It's time to stop being silent and start helping individuals, organizations and our society overcome barriers to recovery.
RUTH DOMBROWSKI, LISW, DCSW, CAC II
DAVID DIANA, M.A., LPC, NCC
Last Updated August 31, 2007