Wednesday, July 18, 2007

SAMHSA's Road to Recovery Update The Road to Recovery Update keeps you informed about activities leading up to National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) in September. Feel free to forward this information to friends and colleagues, include it in newsletters or listservs, or link to it from your Web site. Last Chance to Submit a Question to the Expert For the July Webcast Get answers to your questions about the topics covered in the latest Road to Recovery Webcast "Treatment and Recovery: Reducing the Burden on the Justice System and Society." Submit your questions using our anonymous online form, and answers from our expert will be posted in early August. Visit Ask the Expert before July 20 to submit questions for this month's expert: Roger H. Peters, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute Next Webcast View the Trailer Wednesday, August 1: "Improving the Bottom Line: Supporting Treatment Profits Employers and Employees" Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol does not just stay in the home; it often spreads into the workplace, causing decreased performance and lower profitability. In 2002, drug use disorders alone contributed to a loss of productivity amounting to $128.6 billion in the United States. (Source: The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States: 1992-2002. Pub. No. 207303. Washington, D.C.: Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2004, p. X) Moreover, because an addicted individual is often quite adept at hiding his or her addiction, employers and even coworkers may not be able to recognize what is causing the individual’s decreased productivity at the office. Addiction issues do not just cause problems for the individual’s work environment, but his or her family members may be having problems at their workplaces as well. Join Ivette Torres, Associate Director for Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a panel of experts to examine the issues related to addiction in the workforce such as: how to identify where a problem exists, when to intervene and how, and what can be done. This program will also demonstrate how employee assistance programs are beneficial to the addicted individual, their family members, and the company. Give People a Voice for Recovery! Do you know someone who is celebrating recovery? Let them know that they have a voice! Because the successes of individuals in recovery are often overlooked by society, Voices for Recovery gives people the opportunity to share their stories with others and provides education for the general public about treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Click here to share your story! About Recovery Month National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, celebrating 18 years of observance in 2007, is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). For more information about Recovery Month, visit www.recoverymonth.gov. __________________________________________________________________