1. Surgeon General Releases Report
on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released the Surgeon
General’s first report on alcohol, drugs, and health. Titled Facing Addiction in America, the report
compiles important findings regarding substance use and hopes to inform the public about the
subject in order to address the addiction crisis in the United States. In 2015, more than 27
million people in this country reported currently using illicit drugs or misusing prescription drugs,
and over 66 million aged 12 or older reported binge drinking. This is a major public health
challenge that is taking a toll on our country. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy intends to raise
awareness and decrease stigma around addiction with his report by increasing understanding of
the disease and its treatment.
The Disease of Addiction
Because of a widespread lack of understanding about addiction and substance misuse, there is
a great stigma surrounding the subject. Many people see addiction as a personal issue of
morality and self-control that could be resolved by the affected person through willpower. This
has been a common misconception for a long time, and it stands in the way of proper solutions
to this crisis. In his preface to the report, the Surgeon General states that “we must help
everyone see that addiction is not a character flaw – it is a chronic illness that we must
approach with the same skill and compassion with which we approach heart disease, diabetes,
and cancer.” Substance abuse disorders have a neurobiological basis and should be treated like
any other medical problem.

2. In order to better treat those affected by addiction, we must understand the cycle of addiction
and how it affects the brain. According to the report, well-supported evidence shows that the
cycle of addiction “produces dramatic changes in brain function that reduce a person’s ability to
control their substance use.” Being that substances affect the brain, teenagers are especially at
risk for addiction. “The majority of people with a substance use disorder started using
substances during adolescence” states the General’s report, explaining that during
adolescence, the brain is still undergoing major development which is affected by drug use.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Although not enough people affected by addiction receive treatment for the disease, evidence
shows that treatment is effective. Only about 1 in 10 people struggling with a substance use
disorder are treated for it, but according to Facing Addiction in America, recurrence rates for
substance use disorders are “no higher than those for other chronic illnesses such as diabetes,
asthma, and hypertension.” However, treatment is widely under-used, so we must raise
awareness on the subject. It is important for society to see that treatment for drug and alcohol
addictions works.
Through effective, evidence-based treatment, those with substance use disorders can recover
and their lives can be saved. Some of the principles of effective addiction treatment for adults
include:
• Each individual’s treatment plan should be assessed regularly and modified as
appropriate
• Medically-supervised detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment; it is not a
viable form of treatment by itself
• It is crucial for the affected to be in treatment for an adequate period of time
• Drug use must be monitored continuously during treatment
There are many factors that play a role in effective treatment. Everyone is different, and
treatment varies depending on severity and substance used. However, the Surgeon General’s
report suggests that the listed principles apply across the board.
Recovery Defined
Recovery from a substance use disorder is about more than abstinence from the subject drug.
There are various definitions for recovery which differ in certain aspects, but they all agree that it
entails personal changes beyond ceasing substance use. The Surgeon General’s report defines
recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness,
live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” Recovery isn’t always exactly the
same for everyone, and there are different pathways to achieving it.

3. Citing a study that included over 9,000 individuals with previous substance abuse disorders, the
report points out some common personal growth elements among their recovery experiences.
“Being honest with myself,” “handling negative feelings without using alcohol or drugs” and
“being able to enjoy life without alcohol or drugs” were almost universally agreed-on aspects of
recovery. Another prominent factor of these individuals’ understanding of recovery was service
to others.
Progress and Hope
Facing Addiction in America is a big step forward in our battle against this public health crisis.
The extensive report tackles all aspects of this issue and offers improvement recommendations
for individuals, families, health care professionals, communities, and the government. Previous
reports by the Surgeon General have been greatly effective in prompting positive changes. For
example, the 1964 report on the impacts of smoking significantly influenced our communities
and government, leading to policy changes and a more informed public outlook on cigarettes.
The new report on alcohol and drugs provides hope for a better future for sufferers of substance
use disorders.