Q. What causes addiction to alcohol and other drugs?

A. Contrary to popular belief, addiction is NOT a moral or character defect. In fact, it is a chronic disease that is characterized by uncontrollable craving for alcohol and other drugs.

Q. Is addiction to alcohol and other drugs more prevalent in certain groups of individuals?

A. No, people who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs come from all walks of life.

Q. Does treatment really work?

A. Yes, research shows that the success rates for addiction treatment are equal to the success rates for other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. Approximately 40-60% of individuals who complete chemical dependency treatment and attend self-help groups are very likely to remain abstinent from alcohol or other drugs.

Q. How many Ohioans are affected by Addiction?

A. It is estimated that over 1.1 million Ohioans are addicted to alcohol or other drugs.

Q. How many people with Addiction actually seek treatment?

A. Approximately 25% of individuals needing treatment will actually seek it. The widespread societal stigma attached to addiction is cited as the major reason why people do not seek treatment.

Q. Do most health insurance policies adequately cover the cost of treatment?

A. No, typical health insurance policies provide much lower coverage levels and higher co-pay amounts for "behavioral" health care services.

Q. How much does it cost Ohio when addiction goes untreated?

A. It has been estimated that every year addiction costs Ohio as much as $10 Billion in terms of lost work productivity, injuries on the job, hospitalization and primary health care, traffic accidents, court hearings, incarceration, cash assistance to adults too impaired to work or hold a job, and removal of children from addicted caregivers.

Q. What is Mental Illness?

A. The term "mental illness" refers to a broad group of disabling brain disorders which affect a person's thoughts, moods or behavior. People with mental disorders may experience intense distress, impaired functioning at school, at work, and in their daily activities. Examples of mental illness includes major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder.

Q. How many Ohioans are affected by Mental Illness?

A. 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a mental disorder in any given year, including children and youth. This translates to approximately 2.3 million Ohioans.

Q. Does treatment really work?

A. According to a 1999 report of the U.S. Surgeon General, mental illnesses are just as diagnosable and treatable as other physical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. In fact, 80% of people  who receive appropriate treatment for depression show dramatic improvement in 6-8 weeks.

Q. How many people with Mental Illness actually seek treatment?

A. Approximately 1/3 of those individuals suffering a diagnosable mental disorder will seek treatment. The widespread societal stigma of mental illness is cited as the major reason why people do not seek treatment.