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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2007
CONTACTS
Scot L. Adams, Ph.D., Division of Behavioral Health, (402) 471-8553
Jeanne Atkinson, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-8287
DHHS Says to Join the Voices for Recovery
September is Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
Sound bites on this topic are available at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/.
Lincoln – There’s been a 132 per cent increase in number of
Nebraskans served in substance abuse addiction programs in the past five years, going from
11,533 in FY 2002 to 26,720 in FY 2007, according to the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS).
"Recovery month is all about raising awareness that treatment works and leads to
positive change for so many individuals," said Scot Adams, director of the Division of Behavioral Health in DHHS. "People who
have an alcohol or drug addiction need to know that recovery is possible."
The increase in people receiving services was created in part by behavioral health
reform efforts, which created new community services or expanded existing ones.
"I encourage people to be grateful for their own personal recovery. You can
encourage someone you love who’s affected by addictions to take the necessary steps
to reach fuller recovery, too," Adams said.
The bright side of addictions is recovery, which can be a time of great blossoming of
talents, energies and loves that have been suppressed by addiction. That can be unsettling
for some people, but seeing their potential become real can be a transforming moment,
according to Adams.
A directory of mental health, substance abuse and gambling services can be found at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/beh/BHDirectory07.pdf
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