[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

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                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2005

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 
commemoration of the 16th annual National Recovery Month this 
September. National Recovery Month serves as an important reminder of 
the benefits of treating alcohol and drug use. It promotes the message 
that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorder in all its forms is 
possible and lauds the collective effort that goes into achieving such 
recovery.
  Substance abuse and substance dependence create substantial health 
risks not only to the individual, but also to other community members 
in that individual's life. According to the U.S. Department of Health 
and Human Services, as many as 63 percent of Americans admit that 
addiction to alcohol or illicit drugs has had an impact on them at some 
point in their lives. This may include either their own personal 
addiction or that of a friend or family member. In 2003, an estimated 
22.2 million Americans age 12 or older were considered in need of 
treatment for an alcohol or drug use disorder. Substance abuse is not 
only linked to chronic health problems, but also with other problems 
such as unemployment, crime, homelessness, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
  These disorders can be treated, and the treatments leading to 
recovery are as successful as treatments to other medical conditions 
such as high blood pressure or asthma. Recovery, or the process of 
initiating and maintaining abstinence from drug use, requires 
persistent and often multiple courses of treatment, including behavior 
based therapies and for some, medication. Unfortunately, many people 
who are in need of treatment do not receive it.
  National Recovery Month 2005 heightens awareness of the need to 
improve the process of assessing abuse problems and referring people to 
appropriate treatment. It is imperative that families are provided with 
the support services they need, that appropriate treatment is 
affordable, and that access to treatment options are more readily 
available.
  Addiction is a real and complex disease, one which impacts the 
individual, family, and community. Our esteemed former colleague, 
Congressman Michael Forbes, was directly impacted by the substance 
abuse of a beloved family member, one of my constituents. Carrick 
Forbes of Hastings-on-Hudson is a courageous young woman who overcame 
her addiction problems and successfully rebuilt her life. Her recovery 
serves as an example of the importance of treatment and the need to 
support more programs and initiatives to help our friends, family, and 
members of our community.

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