September marks the 24th annual National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) observance, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and raises awareness about mental and substance use disorders that affect millions of individuals, as well as their families, and celebrates those in recovery.
This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together on Pathways to Wellness,” represents the many ways that people can prevent mental and substance use disorders, seek treatment, and sustain recovery as part of a commitment to living a mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy life.
Much of our scientific understanding of addiction is relatively new, so much about drug and alcohol use is tied up in negative belief systems. Addiction and cancer are similar diseases, and both diseases are chronic, progressive, and life threatening. Nobody deserves to get either one, yet public attitudes towards the victims of these diseases are as different as night and day.
Why is addiction the only disease without a ribbon of hope wrapped around it in public? There are two main misconceptions that drive me crazy when it comes to addiction. One is the idea that an individual needs to hit rock bottom before they can get any help. That is absolutely wrong. There is no evidence that that’s true, in fact, quite the contrary. The earlier in the addiction process that you can intervene and get someone help, the more they have to live for and get better for.
The other misconception is one has to want to be treated, in order to get better. The fact is, interventions are successful. People who are pushed to enter treatment programs by an employer, companion, parent, or the criminal justice system have successful track records with treatment, just as those who entered treatment voluntarily.
Changing attitudes about drug addiction, treatment and recovery are starting to take hold. Public education helps people understand that addiction is a treatable illness, not a moral failing. As much as society has reduced the stigma of illnesses such as cancer, the stigma of addiction can be overcome.
During the month of September, and for that matter every day of the year, will you help me wrap a ribbon of hope around those millions of people touched by the disease of addiction every day?
Cary Quashen is a certified addiction specialist and the president and founder of Action Family Counseling Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs.
For further information call 661-297-4660 and visit www.actionfamily.org.