A Stranger In The House, Part 1b

THE FACTS ON ADDICTION

Some believe addiction is a disease, while others view it as a "moral
weakness." Separating "fact" from "fiction" can be time-consuming, so here
are the facts, provided by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services:

* Addiction is a disease, not a "moral" issue. Like many chronic and
progressive diseases, addiction has recognized symptoms, and is influenced
by both genetic and environmental factors.

* Unlike social drinkers, addicts/alcoholics are unable to stop drinking or
using on their own. The defining characteristic of addiction is a
compulsion to continue drinking or using despite adverse consequences (such
as loss of a job). Quitting, for these people, is not a matter of willpower.

* People who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to
develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 21.

* Approximately 73 percent of all illegal drug users in the United States
are employed.

* Alcohol, not methamphetamine, is Oklahoma's most abused drug. Oklahomans
need treatment for alcohol at a rate 7.5 times greater than that for other
drugs.

* Substance abuse is a major public health problem, contributing to 85
percent of all homicides, 80 percent of all prison incarcerations, 75
percent of all divorces, 65 percent of all child abuse cases, 55 percent of
domestic assaults and half of all traffic fatalities and accidental deaths.

* Substance abuse is a primary factor in welfare dependence, the rising
rate of illegitimacy, workplace injuries and other problems.

Treatment Works

Substance abuse treatment works.

In addition to helping people stay clean and sober, it also helps them to
become productive members of society once again.

Here are some treatment facts, provided by the Oklahoma Department of
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: n Overall, treatment of
addiction is as successful as treatment of other chronic diseases, such as
diabetes, hypertension and asthma. According to several studies, drug
treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent and significantly decreases
criminal activity for treatment. n A nationwide study of 5,388 clients of
public treatment programs found that drug use, crime and welfare rates
dropped dramatically after treatment, and that health care improved.

A year after treatment, marijuana, cocaine and crack use had declined by 50
percent; arrests decreased by 64 percent; employment jumped 19 percent;
homelessness declined 42 percent; welfare receipt was cut 11 percent; and
alcohol/drug-related medical visits dropped 53 percent. n A California
study found that treating 150,000 clients cost taxpayers $209 million, but
benefits were worth $1.5 billion.

For every dollar spent on treatment, $7 was saved. n Drug courts, a
judicially monitored treatment alternative to incarceration, are saving
Oklahoma taxpayers millions of dollars. Overseen by the Department or
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, drug court programs are in
place in 23 counties, with 11 in the planning phase. n Individuals who
enter treatment under legal pressure have outcomes as favorable as those
who enter treatment voluntarily. n Among the benefits of breaking the cycle
of drug use and crime among juvenile offenders is an estimated savings of
$150,000 to $360,00 per youth in present value costs that would otherwise
be generated by an average lifetime of heavy cocaine or heroin abuse. n
Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most cost-effective "continuing care"
strategies after formal treatment.

Oklahoma: A State In Need

A five-year study recently completed by the Oklahoma Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services had some unsettling conclusions. Using
specific criteria, the study found that thousands of Oklahomans demonstrate
a need for alcohol and/or drug treatment. n Of the state's 2.4 million
adults, nearly 130,000 -- 5 percent of the population -- need treatment for
alcoholism. Another 1 percent, or 21,000 people, need treatment for other
types of drug use. n Women living in poverty are 82 percent more likely to
need substance abuse treatment than women not living in poverty.

By comparison, men living at or below the poverty level are 19 percent more
likely to need substance abuse treatment then men not living in poverty. n
Oklahomans' use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine, is significantly
higher -- approximately 42 percent higher -- than the national average.

The problem is worse among Oklahomans age 26 to 34 who use the drugs at a
rate 78 percent higher than the rest of the country. n Estimated prevalence
of treatment need is as follows: 5.7 percent for adults in households with
phones; 7 percent for adults in households without phones; 9 percent for
Native American adults in households without phones; 9 percent for Native
American adults; 25.6 percent for prison inmates; 52 percent for adult
psychiatric inpatients; and 66.9 percent for the homeless. n By region, the
central Oklahoma area has the most people in need of substance abuse
treatment with 8.8 percent, followed by the Oklahoma City metro area at 7.7
percent.

Other regions include: Tulsa metro -- 6.6 percent; southwest -- 6.2
percent; northeast -- 5.9 percent; east central -- 6.4 percent; southeast
- -- 5.8 percent; and northwest -- 5.3 percent. n For each Oklahoman needing
treatment for drug abuse, 7.5 Oklahomans need alcohol treatment, a
statistic that varies by region and is worst in the southwest region, where
15.4 people need alcohol treatment for every on person needing drug treatment.

Other regions are as follows: East central- 10.4 to one; central- 9.5 to
one; Tulsa- 6.9 to one; southeast- 5.8 to one; Oklahoma City- 5.4 to one;
northeast- 4.4 to one; and northwest- 4.4 to one.