New Building Bridges to Recovery Initiative to Acknowledge Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) today announced a recovery month initiative, Building Bridges to Recovery. The initiative will build an informational bridge between the medical community, the treatment community, the recovering community and the person or family in need of life-saving treatment.

Governor Tom Corbett has also proclaimed September as Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month in Pennsylvania. 

"Drug and alcohol addiction disorders impact one in four families in Pennsylvania," DDAP Secretary Gary Tennis said. "Individuals with addiction who are connected to treatment services with clinical integrity reap the benefits and go on to live healthy, productive and satisfying lives."

Studies show that individuals with substance abuse disorders can and do recover from the disease, if given the appropriate level and duration of treatment. Through the Building Bridges to Recovery effort, the department expects to break down the stigma that too often isolates individuals and family members who live with a drug and alcohol addiction.  

"Health care professionals have a unique opportunity to provide individuals with early detection screenings, and make appropriate referrals to help individuals holistically and medically recover from substance use disorders," Tennis said. "Building Bridges to Recovery will help bridge the gap between individuals, their doctors, and the addiction treatment they need."

DDAP has placed information for families, individuals and health care professionals on its Building Bridges to Recovery webpage.  Information for families and individuals includes how to "start the discussion today with your physician," and "what your doctor needs to know."  Information for health care professionals includes training resources for Opioid and Pain Management continuing medical education (CME) credits.

Building Bridges to Recovery is a joint partnership between the Pennsylvania Advisory Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the Pennsylvania Parent Panel Advisory Council, and DDAP.

For more information on Pennsylvania's Building Bridges to Recovery visit www.ddap.pa.gov/recovery.

Media contact: Carey Miller, DDAP, 717-547-3314

Editor's note: The text of Governor Corbett's proclamation follows:

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH

September 2014

WHEREAS, mental health and substance use disorders have been identified as conditions with very specific characteristics, and significant advances have been made toward treatment of these conditions and,

WHEREAS, the aftermath of men and women participating in warfare has resulted in an increased demand for services for those who suffer with mental health and substance use disorders and,

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth recognizes the impact of these conditions on public health, their effect on the lives of citizens, families and communities of the Commonwealth and,

WHEREAS, persons living with mental health and substance use disorders can turn their lives around with the help of trained professionals, facility treatment programs and support from their families and communities which they are a part of are to be commended and,

WHEREAS, this year, we will focus more on educating and implementing tools to help more people achieve and sustain long-term recovery and,

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth recognizes the devastating impact of these conditions on our communities as with paramount importance we work to eradicate it. 

THEREFORE, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim September 2014 as ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH in Pennsylvania and encourage all Pennsylvanians, both adults and children, to seek these treatment services, if needed, for themselves or their loved ones immediately.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, on this twenty-eighth day of August in the year of our Lord, two thousand and fourteen, and of the Commonwealth, the two-hundred and thirty-ninth.

TOM CORBETT

Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

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