SEPTEMBER IS TIME TO CELEBRATE RECOVERY

By RICK C. WADE Guest Columnist

When Mary's husband of 46 years died, she experienced all of the emptiness,
pain and loneliness associated with the loss of a spouse. But when her
sister, whom she had depended on for support, died soon after, she began to
feel that her life had become an endless series of losses. It was then that
she turned to Valium as an escape from the pain she was feeling. Her
prescription became her friend -- always there to comfort her. But when her
"friend" became her enemy and she was no longer able to control her
dependence on the drug, Mary became ashamed and couldn't reveal her problem
to friends or family.

Fortunately, her physician realized Mary had a problem and referred her to
the county alcohol and drug abuse authority. The treatment helped her
realize that she was not alone -- that there were people who wanted to help
her. Gradually, she is learning to rebuild her life. She can find joy now,
and no longer dreads the start of another day.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a time to
celebrate the stories of people like "Mary." Thanks to community-based
substance abuse treatment programs, support groups and the encouragement of
family and friends, thousands of people in South Carolina find the road to
recovery each year. Although addiction is a chronic, relapsing illness that
involves a number of brain chemistry disorders, treatment is as effective
as treatments for other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and
high blood pressure.

Substance abuse treatment is cost-effective as well. The cost of addiction
to society is immense. According to estimates by the S.C. Department of
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, alcohol and other drug abuse costs
our state $2.47 billion a year. However, research shows that for every
dollar spent on treatment, $3 to $7 are saved in social, health and
criminal justice costs. Blue Cross/Blue Shield found that families'
healthcare costs dropped by 87 percent after treatment.

All of this is great news, because hundreds of thousands of South
Carolinians need treatment. More than 310,000 are dependent on or abuse
alcohol, other drugs or both.

We are all touched by addiction. But help is available, and recovery is
possible. South Carolina provides a wide array of prevention, intervention
and treatment services at the community level through 34 county alcohol and
drug abuse authorities serving all 46 counties.

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is a great time to get
involved and actively support alcohol and other drug treatment programs. I
hope you'll join me in bringing our families, friends and communities
together to help remove the stigma of addiction and encourage those who
need to seek treatment. It will only happen when we work together.

Mr. Wade is director of the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
Services.