Dr. H. Westley Clark, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, explains the importance of Recovery Month.
Recovery Month Launched, New Survey Data Released
SAMHSA, ONDCP, and A&E Network Collaborate
By Kristin Blank
To launch the 20th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, SAMHSA joined the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the A&E Network at a press conference at the National Press Club in early September.
“Recovery Month began as a small, good idea, and it has grown into a mainstream, national network with multiple partners,” said Rear Admiral Eric B. Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., SAMHSA’s Acting Administrator, in his introductory remarks.
Acting SAMHSA Administrator Dr. Eric Broderick highlights significant findings of the 2008 NSDUH.
At the heart of the recovery movement are the individuals who are facing down their addictions one day at a time. Two of those people offered a glimpse of their experiences. (See Testimonials.)
“Recovery Month provides a venue to recognize the tremendous successes of recovery support services and treatment providers that have helped people achieve and maintain their recovery from the disease of addiction,” said H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Recovery Month is one of five recovery-related programs funded by CSAT. (See Recovery: A Philosophy of Hope and Resilience.)
The event included the release of SAMHSA’s 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which presents data showing the overall level of current illicit drug use holding steady at about 8 percent with certain areas of serious concern. (See National Survey Shows Overall Drug Use Steady at 8 Percent.)
The press conference focused on successes, challenges, and future directions for substance abuse
treatment and prevention.
ONDCP Director R. Gil Kerlikowske talks about the Obama Administration’s drug control strategy.
Partnering with SAMHSA to overcome challenges, such as reaching the some 21 million people who need treatment but don’t perceive that need, is ONDCP and its newly appointed Director, R. Gil Kerlikowske, M.A.
“Treatment can be so much more effective when we all work together,” he said.
Mr. Kerlikowske explained that the Obama Administration’s first drug control strategy would de-emphasize the “war on drugs” and strive to improve substance abuse prevention and treatment systems.
“In war, we only have one tool—force,” he said. “We’re not at war with people who use drugs. We’re all in this together.”
A&E’s President and General Manager Bob DeBitetto describes A&E’s Recovery Project and the network’s collaborative partnership with SAMHSA.
The A&E Network is partnering with SAMHSA and doing its part to raise awareness of the problems of addiction and the promise of recovery, most notably with the Emmy-nominated television show “Intervention.”
“We believe A&E has a responsibility to enlighten and inform as well as entertain,” said Bob DeBitetto, President and General Manager of A&E Network and BIO Channel.
Dr. Broderick cited research that shows that getting the message right is critical because viewers learn from and act on what they see.
The personal stories of addiction and recovery over the past 7 years have made “Intervention” A&E’s top-rated television program. The show has won a national PRISM Award 4 years in a row (see SAMHSA News online, May/June 2009).
A&E also promotes CSAT’s Treatment Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP.
The entertainment industry’s involvement, along with the efforts of SAMHSA, ONDCP, and Federal and private partners, may help make a dent in the overall level of illicit drug use.
“We need to raise awareness among people who don’t believe they need treatment,” said Dr. Broderick. “We also need to reach populations that are difficult to reach, such as 18- to 25-year-olds and the baby boomer generation. We need to reach them in a way that makes them question their behaviors.”
Download the 2008 NSDUH. Find out more about Recovery Month.
“I watched my dad die from alcoholism. By breaking that chain, I honor him, and I honor my children,” said James Gillen, LCDP, now 11 years in recovery. Based in Rhode Island, Mr. Gillen is an active recovery leader in the New England area.
“My recovery is at the very core of who I am today,” said Neil Kaltenecker, M.S., in recovery for 19 years. Ms. Kaltenecker is the Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, which builds community collaborations to promote recovery.
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Photos by Martín Castillo and Paola Sanmartin A press conference officially kicked off the 20th annual Recovery Month and set the stage for the Recovery Rally in New York City. SAMHSA officials, including CSAT Director Dr. H. Westley Clark and SAMHSA Acting Administrator Dr. Eric B. Broderick (top left photo), joined ONDCP, A&E Network, and state recovery advocates (bottom right photo) to commemorate the event. |
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Photos by Seth Webb More than 10,000 people marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to celebrate Recovery Month in September. SAMHSA partnered with A&E to support the Recovery Rally event and raise awareness about recovery. |
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