It’s been six years since I started BreakingTheCycles.com to help the families and friends of those whose loved ones misue alcohol or other drugs. Originally, it consisted of my blog, but has mushroomed and morphed over the years to include the various menu options now offered in the navigation bar above.

But I wanted to use today’s post to celebrate how far addiction recovery has come — not just for the persons with the disease but for the family members and friends, as well.

When I started my research on all-things addiction in 2003, #1, there was very little in the way of explaing the facts of the brain disease of addiction, let alone the facts of what happens to family members and friends who cope with their loved one’s drinking or drugging behaviors (aka secondhand drinking | secondhand drugging).

But as importantly, #2, there was very little in the way of grassroots movements determined to put a face on addiction recovery; to step out into the spotlight and talk opening about the fact that more than 23 million Americas are living thriving lives, no longer dependent on drug or alcohol use – lives that mirror those of persons who do not have this disease.

And, as importantly, #3, there was nothing in the way of grassroots movements determined to help the families — the 100 million Americans affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder — help that is targeted to helping them find their own recovery and in that effort better help their loved ones find and succeed in theirs.

I am beyond thrilled to tell you, today, that it’s a whole new, exciting world in all three areas.

We Are All In This Addiction Recovery Movement Together and Taking it to The Mall in Washington, D.C., 10.4.15

146 million Americans are affected by the disease of addiction. They include:

• the more than 23 million Americans who struggle with this brain disease of addiction, of which only 10% are getting the help they need
• the more than 23 million Americans who are living their lives in recovery, and
• the 100 million Americans who are the family members of those whose lives are shattered by addiction and whose own lives are equally changed.

Addiction is a Family Disease – Families UNITE to Face Addiction and Stand Up for Addiction Recovery on The Mall in D.C. 10.4.15

And WE are joining forces through UNITE to Face Addiction for a massive rally on The Mall on 10.4.15.

For me, it’s been the new brain research that has me so psyched about joining forces with the tens of thousands of others who will gather to stand up for recovery; to end the silence that has kept the disease of addiction shrouded in secrecy and shame, taking millions of lives, shattering families and costing our country billions of dollars every year.

About This Science and 21^st Century Research Findings Radicalizing How We Talk About and Stand UP for Recovery

• addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease
• addiction is entirely treatable and there is no one-size-fits all method for treating this disease, nor does relapse mean treatment failed – rather it means treatment needs to be modified
• when the key risk factors (early use, mental illness, social environment, genetics and childhood trauma) for developing this disease are understood and/or treated or prevented, the success and effectiveness of our treatment, intervention and prevention efforts increase dramatically
• trying to incarcerate our way out of the problem does not work
• failing to treat this brain disease like any other chronic disease does not work [also check out 5 Reasons People Relapse After Years of Sobriety]
• family members need help understanding this disease and what has happened to their own physical and mental health so they may seek their own treatment and thereby live healthier lives and better help their loved ones who struggle with addiction and/or support their loved ones living in recovery
• those with addiction and the family members who are touched by it both need comprehensive health care coverage and access to and understanding of effective recovery options
• society as a whole needs to understand addiction for what it is – a developmental, chronic, often relapsing but fully treatable brain disease.

Say it Loud, Say it Proud – I STAND for Addiction Recovery

Not everyone is ready to expose themselves as a person in recovery, and that is totally, 100% fine. It is an individual choice to be sure. But if you can, please spread the word. Addiction Recovery is Real. It Happens to Real People. It Happens All the Time and It Happens to Family Members and Friends, Too!

For an umbrella resource for the Addiction Recovery Movement, check out Faces & Voices of Recovery, founded in 2001.

For an inspirational film that pushed the movement front and center, check out ManyFaces1Voice & The Anonymous People Film trailer below.

For an umbrella resource targeting help for the families, check out Change Addiction Now – United We C.A.N. (they have several state chapters around the country, as well).

And please know, there are hundreds and hundreds of more agencies, grassroots movements, nonprofits, treatment providers, medical and mental health providers, public policy leaders and others too numerous to name that are equally committeed to the Addiction Recovery Movement.

It’s our time. So if you can, please join us in whatever capacity you can:

Attend the rally on 10.4.15

Become a Partner (no cost)

Host a House Party to watch a live stream of the actual event (send me an email, and I’ll let you know the details when they’re available, lisaf@BreakingTheCycles.com)

Spread the word…

Together WE CAN change the Face of Addiction and bring Addiction Recovery for those who struggle and the family members and friends who love them into the light – front and center – for all Americans to understand and support.

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Lisa Frederiksen

Author | Speaker | Consultant | Founder at BreakingTheCycles.com

Lisa Frederiksen is the author of hundreds of articles and 12 books, including her latest, "10th Anniversary Edition If You Loved Me, You'd Stop! What you really need to know when your loved one drinks too much,” and "Loved One In Treatment? Now What!” She is a national keynote speaker with over 30 years speaking experience, consultant and founder of BreakingTheCycles.com. Lisa has spent the last 19+ years studying and simplifying breakthrough research on the brain, substance use and other mental health disorders, secondhand drinking, toxic stress, trauma/ACEs and related topics.

Latest posts by Lisa Frederiksen (see all)

• Does a Loved One Have to Hit Bottom? - November 20, 2022
• Resources for Parents of Children with Substance Use and Mental Disorders - October 18, 2022
• 4 Things to Support Brain Health and Function for Recovery - August 30, 2022