Science has finally established alcohol and other drug addiction as a brain disease. Yet, public denial of this truth remains rampant.

-- Tens of thousands die needlessly every year from substance use disorders.
-- Families suffering because of addiction are riddled with feelings of rage, sorrow, bewilderment and shame.
-- Alcohol and other drugs play a major role in crimes of theft, domestic violence, rape, child maltreatment, homicide and suicide.
-- Substance abuse and addiction cost federal, state and local governments at least $467.7 billion in 2005. The total financial impact on the nation is, of course, much greater.

It is no longer ethical nor acceptable to ignore this national crisis.

-- Research findings about the disease of addiction must be translated into language that physicians, politicians and the general public can understand.
-- Changing how people think about addiction to alcohol and other drugs will change the current climate of stigma, misunderstanding and denial.
-- Changes in attitudes about addiction will cause changes in behavior...individually and across the nation.