The Facts on Recovery in America
Addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Because substances change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, stopping is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Thankfully addiction is not a life sentence-it is a treatable disease.
- More than 90% of people with addiction began smoking, drinking or using other drugs before age 18. (NIDA)
- 23.5 million Persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem (SAMHSA’s).
- According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly 2.1 million hospital Emergency Department visits in 2009 were the result of drug abuse.
- A majority of Americans (80 percent) have positive feelings about prevention and recovery from substance use disorders.
More often then not, those who experience relapse lose a connection to their community and their sense of purpose. By providing emotional peer support services, informational services and recovery community events and meetings, it is our hope that each individual will find someone and something to engage their interest and keep coming back. The joys of sobriety are endless, and we realize the path isn’t an easy one to navigate—you don’t have to do it alone!
S.A.R.A. is a network of Recovery Community and Outreach Centers with sites in Saratoga Springs, Johnstown, and Hudson Falls.
S.A.R.A. has been established to be a hub for recovery support services. Our focus is to aid individuals and families to improve health, wellness and sustain long-term recovery. We offer:
• Support to cope with addiction in the family.
• Education about substance use disorders and recovery.
• Tools to navigate insurance and treatment services.
• Support from peers.
• Sober social and recreational activities.
Our efforts are inclusive and focus on the positives of recovery while supporting people at every stage of their own path. Addiction is a chronic disease and we believe recovery is a life long journey.
Learn more by visiting the S.A.R.A. website
Is there DRUG ADDICTION in your life?We know just how you feel.
It is so painful to watch a loved one struggle with drug addiction. As parents, spouses, siblings, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, we see first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on a person. What we may not realize is the degree to which the addicted person’s behaviors are affecting us.
THE NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUPS are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a twelve-step program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength, and hope with others in the same situation. We’ve been there. We’ve walked in your shoes. We’ve been angry, confused, and terrified. We’ve worried, snooped, and obsessed over our addicted loved one’s behavior. We’ve watched our lives spiral out of control. In Nar-anon, we find others who understand what we’re going through. We share our successes and failures, joys and sorrows, our dreams and realities. In time, with support from this group of friends, we learn a better way to live while continuing to love the addicted person in our life. Take the first step in getting your life back…come to a meeting. You’ll be glad you did.
There are FIVE weekly Nar-anon meetings here in the Capital Region:
TUESDAYS AT 7PM
COLONIE
Colonie Christian Life Center,
31 Vly Road, Albany, NY 12205
SARATOGA SPRINGS
Healing Springs Recovery and Community Outreach Center
125 High St, Saratoga Springs NY 12866
WEDNESDAYS AT 7PM
DELMAR
Delmar Reformed Church,
386 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054
THURSDAYS AT 7PM
MECHANICVILLE
Journey of Hope Group
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 40 McBride Road, Mechanicville, NY 12118