Pubdate: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL) Copyright: 2003 News-Journal Corp Contact: 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl