[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH

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                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2005

  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, as September is National Alcohol and Drug 
Addiction Recovery Month, I would like to share the story of a resident 
of the Fourth Congressional District, Walter Ginter, who is recovering 
from a drug addiction.
  I recently met with Mr. Ginter and heard of his struggle to overcome 
his addiction. In addition to wanting to call attention to the plight 
of recovering addicts, he was particularly concerned that as we 
consider the plight of many victims of Hurricane Katrina, we ensure 
that we pay particular attention to those recovering from dependency. 
Since many are in treatment programs, interruption from these programs 
can result in setbacks. This is one of the many, many things that we 
need to consider as we go forward in rebuilding the lives of those 
affected in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
  Our country has improved greatly, but we still have work to do in 
providing access to treatment and eliminating the stigma surrounding 
chemical dependency. I hope this month of awareness will help us 
accomplish this worthy goal.
  The following is Mr. Ginter's story:

       My name is Walter Ginter. I am 56 years old. I own a house 
     in Westport CT. I participate in civic activities, have a 
     subscription to the Westport Country Playhouse, and I am a 
     registered Republican. Most days, along with hundreds of 
     other Westport residents, I commute on Metro North Railroad 
     to NYC. I am indistinguishable from the other commuters and 
     completely typical in every way but one. Each day I take 
     medication for a chronic medical condition. Taking a 
     maintenance medication is hardly atypical, I am sure that 
     other commuters take maintenance medications. The difference 
     is that I take a medication to treat my opiate dependence.
       I first became opiate dependent in 1971, when I was in the 
     army. I spent much of the next 20 years in and out of various 
     treatment programs in my effort to stop using heroin. For me, 
     the only treatment that was effective was methadone 
     maintenance. While on methadone I got my life together and 
     attained the goal promised by the SAMSHA matrix, ``a life in 
     the community for everyone.''
       However, every few years, no matter how well my life was 
     going I felt pressured to leave methadone treatment. 
     Sometimes the pressure came from well meaning friends but 
     mostly from myself. I felt inadequate, weak; even cowardly. . 
     . . I tried again and again . . . but each time I left 
     methadone treatment I relapsed.
       Eventually, through advocacy, I learned that opiate 
     addiction wasn't a moral issue or a matter of strength or 
     weakness but primarily a brain disorder. The reason I did 
     well on methadone was because it restored my normal brain 
     function.
       Today, I am Director of Training for the National Alliance 
     of Methadone Advocates. Through training and education we are 
     trying to end the stigma experienced by patients on 
     medication. Some methadone advocates like to say, ``Methadone 
     is Recovery.'' They are wrong! Methadone is not Recovery. 
     Recovery has nothing to do with taking medication or not 
     taking medication. Recovery is living a sober, happy, 
     productive lifestyle. However, thousands of methadone 
     patients are living that life and haven't been taught 
     anything about recovery.
       That is what recovery advocacy is for me. Teaching and 
     training so that my brothers and sisters who take medications 
     can start enjoying life as recovering persons.

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