It is quite impressive to see the treatment centers popping up here and there with specialties to treat Physicians, Nurses, Lawyers, and Hollywood types. ...But what about the average person in need of help? Not everyone has $30-$80k for treatment.

Today, the USA has (at best) drive thru detox centers for the average wage earner in need of help. In some countries, it is actually seen as a disease and therefore is treated with respect and confidence (although classified as such here in the US, we're far from treating it so). In the USA, there is still the stigmatism associated with substance and alcohol abuse instead of focusing on treatment.

In college, I investigated a study revealing for every ONE DOLLAR spent on prevention and treatment, anywhere from $5-$8 (depending on the region) was saved even if the community offered the services for free! So why don't we do it?

Politics for one.
Most politicians are people, too (amazing concept) and the majority of "people" have been personally affected by alcohol and drugs far more than they care to admit and therefore have a prejudice, embarrassment or denial about buying the idea it is a treatable disease. A study showed Physicians (also being affected by drugs and alcohol-meaning family, friends, personal issues and misconceptions) are reluctant to offer treatment to as many as 90% of drug/alcohol related hospital admissions! The public (so they say) cries out for stiffer legal penalties (has punishing ever cured a disease?). The politician feels he/she should get tougher on drugs and completely misses the money game (spend $1, save $5-$8) and the cost treatment and prevention saves! Addiction is the only disease that can involve the law! Punishment doesn't go to the root and 10% of our population will need help during their lives for alcohol/drug dependence! In the Baltimore, Maryland area, they started a campaign "Baltimore Believe" with good intentions. Guess how many drug/alcohol treatment beds were increased? Not one! It turned out to be an empty shelled advertising campaign where the advertisers ate up all massive revenue available. So today, we see bumper stickers and billboards "Baltimore Believe" (if the public knew, they would be in disbelief).

Being a realist, it will be difficult, if not impossible to reverse the punishment concept and stereotyping of drug and alcohol addicts into that of an ill person desperately in need of treatment (versus a bad person in need of judgment and punishment). For now, all we can do is refer them to the 12-step groups (who, by the way, have the best success rate, hands down, of any treatment available today). I think our society is far to immature to deal with this ever-growing issue until it's too late, or until a significant event awakens the misconceptions preventing common sense and money saving/community saving/life saving ways to turn the tide. The only people who will continue to get any real help are those with money.

I specialize in intervention and treatment referral. I have known far too many friends and relatives now dead because there was a cost (and judgment) barrier to treatment. It's sad; we're too capitalistic! There is hope on the horizon...some communities are toying with the spend one, save 5-8 dollar idea and they're finding it works. ...Now if we can get off the judgment bus and onto the free treatment wagon, we'd be going somewhere!

Learn more about this author, Rob Scribner.
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