Pubdate: Fri, 29 Mar 2002
Source: Ithaca Journal, The (NY)
Copyright: 2002, The Ithaca Journal
Contact: http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/letters.html
Website: http://www.theithacajournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1098
Author: William J. Rusen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

HELPING PEOPLE GET OVER ADDICTIONS

The enduring purpose statement of Cornerstone Recovery Services: "We 
believe in the capacity of people to transform themselves."

There has been much discussion recently in our community around the 
issue of transformation. It is often a question of belief and faith 
whether anyone can transform themselves and their life. It is an 
important question that needs a clear answer.

Cornerstone Recovery Services is a chemical dependency recovery 
services provider. The cornerstone of our work is the belief that 
people are capable of recovery from the cunning and vicious disease 
of addiction. We are fortunate to see this transformation in our work 
many times a day.

The disease of addiction is a costly one. It is estimated that the 
cost of untreated addiction to drugs and alcohol in the United States 
is $276 billion in lost productivity, law enforcement, health care, 
justice, welfare, and other programs and services.

On a very human level, the cost is a child "forgotten" at Little 
League practice, a distraught spouse, embarrassed silence at a family 
gathering and any number of deeply personal and hurtful episodes that 
will reverberate through the history of countless families right in 
our community.

The disease of addiction is all too common as well. It strikes one in 
ten Americans. Every day 300 Americans die of alcoholism. This number 
is even higher when we add the number of deaths due to drugs other 
than alcohol.

In 1999, 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States 
were alcohol related. It is fair and accurate to say that each and 
every one of us is acquainted with someone whose life has been 
significantly impacted by chemical dependency and its aftermath.

Although it is a demanding and life-long task, people can and do 
recover from the disease of addiction with the proper treatment and 
support. This support comes from families, friends, treatment 
providers, and the community.

What can the community do to support someone on the life long road of 
recovery? In my estimation, we must be willing to embrace the belief 
that an individual is capable, with help, of changing into the person 
they wish to be.

We all know the power of belief and faith. If you have experienced 
this, you know the power this faith had to transform you into the 
outstanding person you always imagined yourself to be.

Therefore, I ask each and every one of you to be an empowering person 
in the life of someone who may be struggling with chemical abuse or 
addiction.

Dare to believe in their capacity to transform themselves.

Dare to believe that they can and will continue that transformation 
over the rest of their lives.

Dare to be an example of faith and belief and support.

William J. Rusen,

Executive director, Cornerstone Recovery Services
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MAP posted-by: Josh