DAILY HAMPSHIRE —
GAZETTE
emcees 2008 NEW ENGLAND NEWSPAPER 0 eee
FRIDAY
April 18, 2008
wstablished 1736
Norihampioa, Massashuseits
By KRISTIN PALPINI
Stal Writer
AMHERST — Of the 2.5 milion Ameri
ans abusing drugsandaleshol i206. t1
percent received treatment. Treatment
for drug and aleahol abusers is hard to
ome by lt alone afford, sy local healt
care professionals
In most states, ichuding Massechu-
selts, substance abuse training ist a
Fequired component of carning a clin-
cal psychologist. license, Most health in-
surance plans provide litle coverage for
mental health treatmont.
There's a gap between the public's
needs and what medical science is ofler-
ing, said Christopher Overtrea, director
of the University of Massachusetis Psy-
ebological Services Center, Bul UMass is
‘ying to adress this diser=pancy.
"This month, UMass announced a new
partnership bebween the Psychological
Services Center and the Northampton-
based Allies in Recovery, an over three-
year-old center that works with a sub-
Btaneo abusor’s loved ones to convines
he abuser to seek treatment, Allies in
Recwery is said to he one of a few cen-
tors thet offer sorviees for family ond
turns to families
ions ofsubstane abusers
‘Through this pairing, UMass gradual
psvchology students wil participate in Al-
ios internships, providing studonts witha
training opportunity. Alles will be able to
use UMass’ mental health resoureesand,
on occasion, send cienis tothe university
for counseling.
“Clearly, we have a problem here that”
there aren't sulicient resources to help
solv,” said Overtree,
“The contoquences (of substanco
abuse) are notas direct and immediate,
Ml Seo RECOVERY / Page Ad
Recovery program engages families
1 Continued from at
but they're long-term and they're
serious,” seid Overtree. “Wereally
do need {0 invast more, Whether
«that’s providing more oppoctuni-
ties for einicans to get this kind
of training or oponing more spe
cially clinics like Allies in Heeov-
ery. it's hard tosay”
New treatment method.
‘This partnership wil also focus
nan emerging treatment meti-
4, called CRA which counsels
family and friends instead of the
substance abuser. Unlike confroa-
tational interventions, CRAFT
(Commutity Reinforcement and
‘Family Training) ases a mare pas-
sive appmoeh. Tt teaches family
and friends bow to reward sober
Dehavior, diseourage abusive be-
‘havior and how to discuss treat
amient with a substance abuser in
a supportive fashion,
“We're training them (am
ily and friends) tp be agents of
‘change, 10 go and improve their
Delavior so that the person Tas
very clear boundaries around
their drinking,” said Dominique,
Levine, Allies’ executive director,
‘Levine said people who nead
substance abuse treatment rarely
receive if, especially when they
face the problem alone, Stumbling
blocks along the way to recovery
include the cost of treatment, she
suid,
“Treatment is very limited
aeross the state and the nation
Insurance companies typically
ont pay for miueh treatment,
said Levine. “You're left paying
‘out of pocket for treatment,”
Residential drug abuse treat-
‘ment can cost about $3,340 por
‘yeas according to the US. Sub-
Stance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
‘Without insurance, it ean cost a
person §7.415ayear toreceiveout-
Dationt treatment with the aid of
methadone, Without methadone,
‘asubstanes used to woen addicts
off herein, it ean cost $1,433.
“typically, people dent pull ant
ofaddiction oatheir wn, Some co,
Dbutit’s rare,” sald Levine, “Family
Imembers ate in better shape and
motivated to spend alot ofencrgy
trying to gure this out.”
ALLIES 1H RECOVERY
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Allis in Recovery offers woolly
sessions for family and triends
of people wit substance abuse
isgues and adciction
‘The program seeks io give
family mombers tools needed
to maintain loving efationshins
‘while atthe same time influencing
the opurse addiction takes inthe
home,
Organieers say family members
learn ta facilitate recovery,
encourage loved ones to enter
‘treatment and help them remain
‘sbber upon their turn. Free drop
in sessions are held Wechessays
from noon to 1 pm. at94 King
St., Northampton, on the main
floor
‘The program also offess
individual counseling and group
‘ptonste learn what is known as
Communty Reinforcement and
Family Training, Th taining is
Gesonned as a mathod oF telping
family members and friends move
thei loved ones toward substance
abuse recovery For information,
call Alles in Recovery at (413)
240-3724 or (413) 685-2779,