What had begun with marijuana use at age 15 had snowballed into binge drinking in college and later, an addiction to crack cocaine. In 1989, he found treatment at the Hazelden Foundation, which is based in Minnesota and has centers in New York, Illinois and Florida. Contact the council at 884-3436. As long as there is addiction, there will be a drug war to fight, he said. The problems have been common in our society for 200 years.
Treatment is a critical component to reducing demand.
Moyers challenges substance abuse treatment professionals and recovering addicts to speak up about the positive, healing nature of treatment. People struggling with addiction should be given the same chance to get well as those who suffer from diabetes or breast cancer, he said. With increased awareness, Moyers hopes the government and private insurers will change to make treatment a standard part of health insurance plans. Most people who receive treatment through Hazelden are middle class with health insurance, he said. But, their coverage often does not include treatment for addictions.