New Jersey legislators want law aligning drug addiction with mental illness
Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef founded Fairwinds Treatment Center in 1989 on the premise that addiction is almost always triggered by undiagnosed psychological, mental and emotional challenges such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. For the last 25 years, he has used a unique dual diagnosis methodology to address both these underlying issues as well as the substance abuse itself, using personalized combinations of clinical treatment and therapeutic counseling to help patients heal. Although cutting-edge scientific research continues to bolster Dr. El-Yousef's belief in the connection between mental illness and addiction, too few addiction specialists acknowledge the link when it comes to on-the-ground treatment.
That is why we were so encouraged to learn that some New Jersey legislators are working to change that. The lawmakers are currently pushing a new bill that would officially align drug addiction with mental illness, saying that it's time to destigmatize substance abuse and get sufferers the help they need.
Alba Herrera, who lost her 24-year-old son to a heroin overdose earlier this year, spoke at a recent panel hearing.
"These young men and women suffer from a disease called addiction. This disease cannot be cured by willpower," Herrera said. "Saying that it's an addict's decision to use or not is akin to saying that it's a schizophrenic's decision to hear or not hear voices. When a person they need help and support, even if it means going to rehab against their will."
Herrera is absolutely correct in saying that simply focusing on an addiction sufferer's substance abuse is almost certain to lead to a failed recovery. That's why Fairwinds Treatment Center, one of the best addiction treatment centers in the world, encourages psychological, mental, emotional and physical healing to promote true and lasting healing. If a loved one is struggling with addiction, contact us today.
