Addiction is a family disease.

1 in 5 children grow up in a home where a loved one abuses drugs or alcohol.

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Tens of thousands of Americans died from substance abuse-related issues last year.

Most of these deaths involved alcohol, painkillers, or other opioids.

In the case of opioids, over 2.5 million Americans are addicted but fewer than 50% of private sector treatment programs offer medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and only one-third of patients in those programs receive them.

Traditional treatment, which begins with detox and relies on lifelong abstinence, is no match for today’s most severe addictions. Like other medical conditions, to stabilize and manage opioid use disorder requires a medical model, using one of three FDA-approved medications. These medications significantly diminish cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.

No one, and no family, is immune from addiction. Like any other chronic disorder, addiction to alcohol and other drugs afflicts people regardless of age, income level, educational background, race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexuality, & community.

Our elected officials and leaders must address this crisis now!

Substance abuse is an illness that requires medical attention.

  • Financial and insurance barriers to treatment should be removed to hasten same-day access to evidence-based treatment nationwide.
  • As detoxification alone for substance abuse can be an ineffective and potentially dangerous practice, it may not be the only course of action for most patients.
  • 12-step based approaches may be insufficient when used to stabilize and treat patients with substance abuse. 12 step-based treatment does not protect against overdose and should only be introduced as an option in combination with pharmacological treatment and medical supervision.
  • As prescribed, medication assisted treatment should continue for a minimum of one year, under a long-term medical model.
  • All patients with Opioid Use Disorder should have access to one of three FDA-approved medications (buprenorphine, methadone, XR-naltrexone) as their primary treatment.


Speak to your doctor about substance abuse.

We need to hear your voice.

Columbia University’s Division on Substance Use Disorders to provide technical assistance and training on evidence-based practices across all 50 states to combat the nation’s opioid crisis.  Read the press release here.

 

 

 

More than 60,000 Americans are killed by a drug overdose each year.

Trying to understand what 60,000 deaths per year looks like?

Here’s some perspective:

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Substance Abuse in the News

Kavanaugh, drinking and stereotypes of alcohol abuse
(Op-Ed by Christopher Smithers)

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Chris & Brinkley Smithers on NBC

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A Teen Wrote and Co-Directed This Powerful PSA About the Rapid Spiral of Opioid Addiction

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Read All News

If you or someone you know is struggling with this debilitating and all-encompassing medical illness, please share.

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