Copyright: 2003 News-Journal Corp
Contact: letters@news-jrnl.com
Website: http://www.n-jcenter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Author: Randy Croy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT ESSENTIAL

Recently I had the pleasure of receiving four unsolicited letters from
clients participating in one of the Serenity House residential substance
abuse treatment programs. The clients' own words help to capture the
challenges and accomplishments that regularly occur in recovery from
substance abuse and mental illness:

"Beyond a doubt, if it were not for the actions of your staff and this
program, I would be dead.'

"Completing Serenity House is the single best thing that I've done for
myself in my adult life. Thanks so much for the lead on the job -- I love it!"

"Today I have a good job with a plumbing company. Your staff and this
program are responsible for me seeing the way to recovery -- thank you."

"Thank you for taking me to the eye doctor so I could finally have
prescription glasses. I can see so much clearer now ---it" a whole new
world out there I didn't know what I was missing."

What do these individuals have in common? Each had histories of substance
abuse and mental illness, had been homeless and without hope upon entering
our treatment programs. Without intervention, they were likely to become
dependent upon our publicly funded health care, criminal justice or welfare
systems. With treatment, they are no on a path to productivity and
self-reliance.

Why do individuals resort to substance abuse when it is so irrational and
counter-productive? Although the reasons are often unique to each person, a
perspective advanced in a report issued by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services suggests the following:

We live in troubled times, a period of uncertainty, in a nation
transformed. While most individuals are resilient and optimistic, it is
understandable that many Americans feel anxious and unsure about a world
that is increasingly unpredictable.

Our nation has a long history that tells us that in times of stress and
anxiety drug and alcohol abuse may increase -- often dramatically. Nowhere
is this truer than among men, women and youth who are addicted to drugs
and/or alcohol and who also have a co-occurring mental disorder. In such
cases, trauma can trigger an increase in substance abuse and stress-related
episodes of a psychiatric problem.

Unfortunately, as a nation we are ill-equipped to meet the needs of men and
women with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. In fact, we
are unprepared to provide treatment for most people with substance abuse
disorders. In 2001, 76 percent of people in need of treatment for a problem
with illicit drugs did not seek or receive treatment. The problem is
magnified among those with co-occurring disorders. Too often they are
undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or, like the homeless population, slip through
the cracks entirely. Half the people living in our streets have
co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders. Their symptoms are often
active and untreated, making it extremely difficult for them to meet their
basic needs for food, shelter and safety.

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's report
to Congress on this subject underscores this point: "If one of the
co-occurring disorders goes untreated, both usually get worse and
additional complications arise. The combination of disorders can result in
poor response to traditional treatments and increases the risk for other
serious medical problems."

Make no mistake; treatment is effective and recovery is possible. A study
reported to the Journal of the American Medical Association compared
treatment for drug dependence, including alcohol, with type 2 diabetes,
hypertension and asthma. The study concluded that medical adherence and
relapse rates are similar across these illnesses. Drug dependence generally
has been treated as if it were an acute illness. Review results suggest
that long-term care strategies of medication management and continued
monitoring produce faster benefits. Drug dependence should be insured,
treated and evaluated just like other chronic illnesses.

Whether you are involved with the health care system or are simply a person
who is concerned about this issue, I ask you to become involved. By
supporting treatment for those in need, we can help men, women and youth in
our own communities to experience recovery and join the millions of others
in recovery who are leading productive and rewarding lives. As a caring
committed community, we have the opportunity to assist even more
individuals in discovering that it truly can be "a whole new world out there."

Croy is executive director of Serenity House of Volusia Inc., a publicly
funded treatment organization. He wrote this in observance of National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.