FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hillary Angel
Phone: (909) 390-1239
E-mail: hangel@wilkinguge.com

THERAPY AIDS INDIVIDUALS RECOVING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

SAN DIEGO, September 1, 2006 – In observance of National Recovery Month, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) reminds Californians that therapy is effective to aid on the path to recovery.

Many substance abusers suffer from at least one serious mental illness according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. In California alone, 2.6 million persons twelve and older use drugs and 6.2 million persons twelve and older binge on alcohol. Substances are often used as a form of self-treatment to alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and twelve-step programs have been found to be beneficial toward recovery. Therapy is a cost-effective alternative treatment plan that is used effectively with any age group and can offer short- and long-term intervention.

Substance abuse is a treatable disease and therapy can help identify the needs of an individual affected by substance abuse and help the person recover mentally by:

• Strengthening the ability to heal and recover

• Helping manage and decrease mental health symptoms

• Promoting open discussion of the addiction

• Recognizing the negative impact of substance abuse on an individual and those around him or her

• Reinforcing personal growth and development

• Exploring alternative ways to deal with life’s everyday challenges rather than drug use

• Modifying the addictive behavioral patterns which promote the use of a substance

Family therapy has also been found to be of assistance as part of a treatment plan. Family therapy can be effective by increasing participation and retention in treatment, reducing the individual’s substance use, improving both family and social functioning, and discouraging relapse according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment Improvement Protocol Report, Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse.

Substance abuse not only affects the individual, but it interferes with relationships, performance at work, and in social situations. Help a person recover from substance dependence by getting help for this illness. Help comes from seeking a mental health professional, such as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

To learn more about the services offered by Marriage and Family Therapists and where to locate a therapist, visit California’s online mental health resource, www.TherapistFinder.com.

About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization, representing the interests of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to the public looking for Marriage and Family Therapists located in California. For more information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org.