Berkeley, California (Friday, September 14, 2007)-- Berkeley has higher documented rates of individuals suffering from alcohol and other drug disorders than other cities in Alameda County, as reported in Alameda County Shelter and Services Survey, County Report 2004.

Berkeley Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers (BASAP), which consist of city programs and local community agencies, celebrates and acknowledges National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month 2007.

During Recovery Month each September, communities nationwide get together to help people understand that alcohol and other drug disorders are treatable health conditions.  Research shows that treatment for alcohol and other drug disorders are as effective as treatments for other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of U.S. residents who need treatment for alcohol and other drug disorders actually receive it.

“Addiction to alcohol and other drugs is among the most pervasive and complex public health problems we face in society today,” said Health and Human Services Director Fred Medrano, “It is also one of the most preventable causes of injury, disease and death. The challenge today is to move beyond the short-sighted ‘containment and control’ methods of the past, and to address the problem at its source. The good news is that current alcohol and other drug treatment methods and approaches are much more effective.”

The national theme for this year's Recovery Month is "Saving Lives, Saving Dollars." Studies have shown that when an individual is successfully treated for their alcohol and other drugs disorder, they have a better quality of life and are more likely to become self-sufficient and a productive member of society. The City has contributed to the Alameda County Detox Facility and Sobering Station, which is scheduled to open in December 2007 and is located on the Fairmount Campus in San Leandro.

Recovery Month celebrates the successes of people in recovery, acknowledges those still struggling with this health disorder, and salutes the dedicated men and women who work in the alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention fields.

If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol and other drugs, you can find City and County referrals at http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/alcoholaware/resources.shtml. The service list was compiled as part of Alcohol Awareness Month (April), which is a joint project of the City of Berkeley and the University of California Berkeley.

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