Treatment Works
Americans increasingly recognize that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases with consequences that affect both physical and behavioral health. Treatment enables a great many people to find recovery and rebuild productive lives.
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How Treatment Works

Americans increasingly recognize that alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases with consequences that affect both physical and behavioral health. Treatment enables a great many people to find recovery and rebuild productive lives.

Treatment saves lives

Treatment for addiction is as effective as treatments for other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Research shows conclusively that successful prevention and treatment leads to reductions in traffic fatalities, crime, unwanted pregnancy, child abuse, HIV/AIDS, cancer and heart disease. Treatment reduces drug use, improves physical and mental health, improves job performance, reduces involvement with the criminal justice system and welfare dependency, reduces family dysfunction, sustains stable housing and improves an individual’s overall quality of life.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy: ‘Drug Abuse In America’ one year after treatment:

  • Illegal drug use decreased by 50%,
  • Illegal activity decreased by 60%,
  • Arrests decreased by more than 60%,
  • Homelessness dropped by 43%,
  • Receipt of welfare reduced by 11%, and
  • Employment increased by 20%.

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Treatment saves money

Evidence demonstrates that treatment not only saves lives, it also saves dollars that would otherwise be spent in other areas of medical care and social services. Every dollar invested in treatment yields a $7 savings related to crime alone. When health care costs are factored into the equation, the savings approach $12 for every $1 invested in treatment.

A California Study found significant decreased health care costs from before to after treatment:

  • Decrease in hospitalizations for physical health problems 36%,
  • Reduction of drug overdose hospitalizations 58%,
  • Drop in mental health hospitalizations 44%,
  • Decrease in the number of emergency room visits 36%, and
  • Decrease in the total number of hospital days 25%.

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References:
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. October 1999.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (NIH Publication No. 99-4180). Washington DC. 1999
Gerstein, et al, “Evaluating Recovery Services: the California Drug and Alcohol Assessment,” Sacramento, 1994.

We are here to help

We recognize that not everyone is an addict, and we offer programs and services for youth, adults and families designed to meet each individual’s unique circumstances.

GET HELP TODAY

If you, or someone you love, has an alcohol or other drug problem, the Drug Abuse Alternatives Center (DAAC) can help.
Call toll-free (877) 888-DAAC (3222) or (707) 544-3295 for more information.