Treatment important in successful recovery
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
SEPTEMBER IS Recovery Month. We are celebrating the courage and growth of those individuals who have taken the step to a life without substance abuse. Treatment works.
Investing in treatment for substance use disorders is necessary to ensure the health and well-being of our community. Research shows that substance use disorders are medical conditions. In fact, treatments for drug use disorders are just as effective as treatments for other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, asthma, and diabetes.
More than 72 medical conditions have risk factors that can be attributed to substance use. Investing in treatment programs for people with substance use disorders can prevent the onset of long-term medical conditions, ultimately saving lives and decreasing long-term costs.
However, nearly 21 million Americans needed but did not receive treatment for alcohol or drug use in 2005, and interestingly, almost 77 percent of adults classified with substance dependence or abuse were employed. Many people may not realize that investing in treatment saves money for businesses and the community in the long run. For example, treatment is cost effective, with some measurements showing a benefit-to-cost ratio of up to 7:1, with substance use disorder treatment costing $1,583 per person on average and having a monetary benefit to society of nearly $11,487 for each person treated.
Investing in treatment can have significant effects on employment and the viability of employers and businesses in the community. Treatment is associated with a 19-percent increase in employment and an 11-percent decrease in the number of clients who receive welfare. Reported job problems, including incomplete work, absenteeism, tardiness, work-related injuries, mistakes, and disagreements with supervisors, are cut by an average of 75 percent among employees who have received treatment for substance use disorders.
Combined data from 2004 and 2005 state that among people who needed treatment for a substance use disorder, didn’t receive it at a specialty facility, and felt they needed it, 35 percent said they did not receive it because of cost and insurance barriers. These statistics apply to our area as well. In Kansas, an estimated 158,000 people suffer from substance use disorders, and countless numbers of those are unable to receive the same health care options as someone with other chronic disorders, such as diabetes.
We owe it to our family, friends, and community to support treatment and recovery as effective ways to address substance use disorders. Employers, insurers, and the decision makers of our area must understand the financial impact substance use disorders have on our community and the importance of access to treatment and recovery support for those who need it.
When doors are open to recovery, more people will seek treatment for substance use disorders to reclaim their lives and health and to reintegrate into the community.
To promote the hopeful and healing message of recovery, the Regional Prevention Center of the Flint Hills, Emporians for Drug Awareness, Corner House, Inc., Recovery Road, Emporia State University, Kansas SRS, and the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas are participating in the 18th annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a nationwide initiative every September supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and are holding a variety of exciting and educational events this month to coincide with this year’s Recovery Month theme: “Join the Voices for Recovery: Saving Lives, Saving Dollars.”
The events in the Emporia area include:
F Free showing of the first installment of the HBO Addiction series with a panel discussion of persons in recovery following the showing at the Emporia Public Library meeting room, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
F Corner House Recovery Quilt and Art Display at the Emporia Public Library.
F Annual Recovery Conference, Bicentennial hotel, Salina, Sept. 19-21.
F “Talk of Emporia” on KVOE with Sarah Riley, director of Corner House; Donna Drake, counselor-coordinator of ESU ADAP; and Bill Persinger, director of the Mental Health Center, Sept. 12.
By participating in Recovery Month, you are supporting those already in recovery and encouraging those in need of help to seek treatment. Learning about these issues will make it easier to break down barriers to treatment, and you will be investing in the best interests of our community.
More information may be found at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2007/default.aspx
Please join us and celebrate the recovery and sobriety of these individuals!
Teresa Walters & Richard Nibarger
Regional Prevention Center of the Flint Hills
Mike Crouch
Emporians for Drug Awareness
Mike McEchron & Sarah Riley
Corner House
Jim Costello
Recovery Road
Donna Drake
ESU counselor-coordinator (ADAP)
Brad Kirmer
SRS
Bev Cress
Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas