New Poll Shows Broad Bi‐Partisan Support for Improving Access to Alcohol and Drug Addiction TreatmentSeptember 23, 2009 – A new survey released today shows that in a time of partisan debate over health reform, Americans across party lines agree on improving access to addiction treatment. Despite difficult economic times, most are willing to pay out of their own pocket to make lcohol and drug addiction treatment more accessible and affordable for those who need services. Large majorities see treatment as an effective, ongoing process. Yet many Americans who have personal experience with addiction report that finding affordable treatment is difficult.
Key findings include:
• More than three‐quarters of Americans (77%) support including addiction treatment in health reform, including majorities of Democrats (88%), independents (72%), and Republicans (72%).
• Nearly seven in ten (69%) support paying two dollars more per month in health insurance premiums to make addiction treatment more accessible and affordable, including majorities of support across political parties.
• Only one in four Americans (26%) say there are enough affordable, accessible, quality treatment centers and services in their community; nearly half (47%) reports an inadequate number of treatment centers.
• Of those who know someone who has looked for addiction treatment, 46% say it was difficult finding affordable, quality treatment services. Additionally, a poll conducted in June 20091 found that half (49%) of Americans say they feel they could not afford the costs of treatment if they or someone in their family needed it.
• An awareness gap exists around insurance coverage for treatment. While nearly three‐ uarters (73%) think health insurance plans should cover treatment for addiction, nearly two‐thirds (64%) of insured Americans are not sure whether their plan currently covers treatment services.
Eighty‐eight percent of Americans say treatment is extremely or very important to helping people get better, including 92% of Democrats, 85% of independents and 87% of Republicans.
• Eight in ten Americans (82%) believe that, like diabetes, addiction is a health condition that requires ongoing attention and support. Further, 76% of the public agrees that while it is possible for someone addicted to drugs or alcohol to stop using on their own, long‐term success is unlikely without treatment and ongoing support.
• Americans (87%) see treatment as an ongoing process, sometimes needing more than one period of treatment. Only eight percent say treatment tends to be a onetime occurrence. Additionally, the public sees treatment as effective, even if individuals relapse and need another period of treatment.
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