A collection of daily readings to inspire and comfort individuals whose loved ones suffer from drug or alcohol addiction.

Estimates indicate that as many as 1 in 4 Americans will experience a mental health problem or will misuse alcohol or drugs in their lifetimes. These disorders are among the most highly stigmatized health conditions in the United States, and they remain barriers to full participation in society in areas as basic as education, housing, and employment. Improving the lives of people with mental health and substance abuse disorders has been a priority in the United States for more than 50 years. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 is considered a major turning point in America's efforts to improve behavioral healthcare. It ushered in an era of optimism and hope and laid the groundwork for the consumer movement and new models of recovery. The consumer movement gave voice to people with mental and substance use disorders and brought their perspectives and experience into national discussions about mental health. However over the same 50-year period, positive change in American public attitudes and beliefs about mental and substance use disorders has lagged behind these advances. Stigma is a complex social phenomenon based on a relationship between an attribute and a stereotype that assigns undesirable labels, qualities, and behaviors to a person with that attribute. Labeled individuals are then socially devalued, which leads to inequality and discrimination. This report contributes to national efforts to understand and change attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that can lead to stigma and discrimination. Changing stigma in a lasting way will require coordinated efforts, which are based on the best possible evidence, supported at the national level with multiyear funding, and planned and implemented by an effective coalition of representative stakeholders. Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence for Stigma Change explores stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental or substance use disorders and recommends effective strategies for reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek treatment and other supportive services. It offers a set of conclusions and recommendations about successful stigma change strategies and the research needed to inform and evaluate these efforts in the United States.

All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.

This eminently practical guide presents an empirically supported approach for treating people with substance abuse problems and their spouses or domestic partners. Behavioral couples therapy (BCT) explicitly focuses on both substance use and relationship issues, and is readily compatible with 12-step approaches. In a convenient large-size format, the book provides all the materials needed to introduce BCT; implement a recovery contract to support abstinence; work with clients to increase positive activities, improve communication, and reduce relapse risks; and deal with special treatment challenges. Appendices include a session-by-session treatment manual and 70 reproducible checklists, forms, and client education posters.

About The BookThis easy to read book is designed for kids who have a parent or other loved one who abuses alcohol or drugs. The shame, anger, and guilt associated with such an experience can be a burden these individuals carry on into adulthood. WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE ABUSES ALCOLHOL OR DRUGS - A GUIDE FOR KIDS provides valuable information for teenagers who have a loved abusing drugs or alcohol. It answers questions kids have when a loved one is a substance abuser. Yes - their mother or father can still love them even though they abuse alcohol or drugs. Yes - even though a person may sometimes do bad things when he or she abuses alcohol or drugs he or she can still be a good person. Any kid who has a loved one abusing alcohol or drugs will find this book quite helpful."An excellent book for any young person who has a loved one abusing alcohol or drugs."Brian DesRoche, Ph.D.Author, RECLAIMING YOURSELF"Must reading for any teenager with substance abusing parent(s)."Don Fontenelle, Ph.D.Author, HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENTAbout The Author: James J. Crist, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and acertified substance abuse counselor with the Child and Family CounselingCenter in Woodbridge, Virginia. He helps people of all ages withalcohol, drug, and other problems. He is also an adjunct faculty memberat Argosy University. Dr. Crist is a graduate of Williams College inMassachusetts and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wherehe earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Provides information on drug and alcohol use, shares the stories of families who have lived through addiction, and teaches readers how to navigate peer pressure and stress.