ALCOHOL ADDICTION IS A TREATABLE DISEASE

It was refreshing to read an article that focused, at least in part, on
solutions to alcoholism and other drug problems. The July 11 article about
Rep. Karen McCarthy showed that diseases of addiction can be managed with
professional help.

But there was a tone to the article, and an accompanying article that
discussed alcoholism among other members of Congress, that was disturbing.
Using the words "sin" and "confession" in an article about people who
struggle with alcoholism and other drug use problems is unfortunate.

Those words tend to perpetuate the notion that addictions are issues of
morality, instead of supporting the fact - long ago established by the
World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and similar
groups - that addictions are diseases.

Too few people recognize that diseases of addiction are a leading public
health problem, that such diseases are treatable and that there is hope for
those affected and for their families.

When that understanding becomes more common among the public, more people
will seek treatment and many lives will be saved.

Bert Emmons Executive Director The Exodus Program Kirkwood