FOR THE ADDICTED, RECOVERY CAN BE ATTAINED THROUGH TREATMENT

Out of the darkness and denial of addiction, it is the stories of recovered
alcoholics and drug addicts that shine the light of hope on the possibility
for recovery.

During this 14th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month,
we have heard from people who emerged from lives lived under the influence.
Recovered alcoholics like "Richard" and "JJ," who were highlighted in our
recent stories, showed us how they broke the chains of addiction - either
with treatment or by some catastrophic accident - regained their self-esteem
and reunited with their families.

Through their experiences, they provided examples of how addiction can be
overcome and lives saved. Here in Portsmouth, New Futures promotes this
message of healing by serving as a key player in advocating strategies to
reduce the incidence of alcohol, drug and tobacco (yes, smoking, too)
problems in New Hampshire.

Jennifer Wheeler, vice president of New Futures, quoted an inspiring passage
from a recent report by the agency titled "We Need Treatment."

"Every month hundreds of thousands of recovering men, women and
near-children quietly pass another 30 days not just refraining from
chemically destroying themselves, but going to work every day, loving their
families, pursuing their own personal dreams and giving something back to
their communities."

The message of hope, the promise of a bright "new future" imbedded in those
words is what she thinks is so incredible.

Numerous studies show that treatment for people with alcohol and drug abuse
problems is as effective as treatment for chronic medical diseases. The
unfortunate reality is that the range of treatment and recovery program
options is not comprehensive, available or affordable enough to ensure that
everyone who needs treatment can get it, according to the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration.

Some assistance to access may be on the way, however.

New Futures is looking into a new state law that requires health insurance
providers operating in New Hampshire to provide some level of coverage for
alcohol and/or drug addiction treatment and recovery. The law adds
alcoholism and chemical dependency to the list of treatable mental health
disorders covered by health insurance. The amount of coverage varies with
the health insurance plan involved.

The good news is that the law opens the path to recovery for those people
with health insurance. But what about the uninsured segment of the addicted
population?

This year, funding was approved for treatment services through the
Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and
Treatment. Half of the commission's funding is used for prevention.

The bad news is that the budget to fight drug and alcohol addiction will be
decreased to $1.2 million next fiscal year.

Commission Chairman Judge Ed Kelly, while grateful for the Legislature's
support, said more funding is needed. He said the state doesn't have
adequate public treatment services for adults, never mind adolescents.

Part of the challenge, he added, is to convince those who control the
state's purse strings that treatment works. Sadly, there are those who
believe addiction is a problem of character and willpower, rather than a
disease.

There are also some who believe that no amount of money will help the
problem of addiction go away. We don't count ourselves among them.

There's plenty of research to suggest that's plain wrong. Federal, state and
local agencies need to continue funding for treatment, prevention and
recovery programs.

Programs really do work. Continued funding will fuel the light of hope and
recovery for others.