| Tens of millions of sufferers aged 12 or older | | | | remove barriers. Educating the public about |
| need treatment for a substance abuse or eating | | | | treatment, how it works, for whom, and why is |
| disorder in the United States, and their families are | | | | of primary concern. Recovery programs have |
| also affected by these afflictions. Many people do | | | | made significant accomplishments, having |
| not understand that drug addiction, alcoholism, and | | | | transformed the lives of untold thousands of |
| eating disorders are treatable diseases, and this | | | | Americans. These successes often go unnoticed |
| misconception can keep people from getting help. | | | | by the broader population. |
| To help overcome barriers to long-term recovery, | | | | Some leaders feel it is time for citizens to start |
| there are several programs in place that increase | | | | helping their friends and neighbors by noticing the |
| public awareness about substance abuse and | | | | signs of addiction and offering places to turn for |
| eating disorders. What families can do to help | | | | help. By alerting people to the recovery services |
| themselves and loved ones is the goal of several | | | | available, we can help community members and |
| programs sponsored by public and private | | | | their families find a path of recovery, encourage |
| organizations. Educating people about the positive | | | | access to treatment services for all those in need. |
| effect that treatment and recovery can have on | | | | Now is the time to help sufferers lead productive, |
| sufferers and the well-being of our communities, | | | | healthy lives once again. |
| and celebrating people in recovery - and those | | | | Substance abuse is a national health crisis. |
| who help them, is important. | | | | Addiction, alcoholism and eating disorders are |
| Many government and privately sponsored | | | | treatable diseases, and recovery is possible. |
| programs are bringing awareness to the societal | | | | Highlighting the benefits of treatment for not only |
| benefits of recovery treatment. They aim to | | | | the affected individual, but for their family, friends, |
| commend the contributions of treatment | | | | workplace, and society as a whole, and educating |
| programs and promote the message that | | | | the public reduces the stigma associated with |
| recovery from substance abuse, alcoholism, | | | | addiction and treatment. Accurate knowledge of |
| addiction, eating disorders (obesity, bulimia, | | | | these diseases helps people to understand the |
| anorexia, and binge-eating) - is possible. | | | | importance of supporting various programs, |
| Encouraging citizens to take action to help expand | | | | including those who work within the treatment |
| and improve the availability of effective substance | | | | field, and those in need of treatment. |
| abuse treatment for those in need is a way to | | | | |