Addiction treatment professionals do extraordinary work every day–beyond helping individuals recover, they also bring awareness and kindness to the disease of addiction. During National Addictions Awareness Week, we want to take a moment to honor your efforts and highlight a surprisingly overlooked truth: alcohol continues to be the most commonly abused substance, yet it receives far less media attention than drugs like fentanyl or opioids. It’s time to change that narrative and place alcohol at the forefront of our efforts with these other substances.
Alcohol's Prevalence and Cultural Normalization
Alcohol is everywhere. "Alcoholism is a social lubricant," says Dina LaFonte, a treatment provider at Mountainside Treatment Center who is in recovery from addiction herself. "If I'm feeling happy or I've accomplished something, I would want to celebrate. I would use it as a celebratory extension of myself. If I was feeling stressed, overwhelmed, overworked, or lonely, I used it as a coping mechanism." Alcohol is woven into the fabric of our culture, appearing at celebrations, social gatherings, and even as a remedy for hard times. Its normalization blinds us to its potential destructiveness.
"It's so normalized in our culture to go out and have drinks, to go on dates and have drinks, to be at a party and have drinks, to celebrate with drinks, to travel and have drinks," Dina explains. "We don’t even look at something that's repetitious as being something so destructive." This cultural acceptance is one of the reasons alcohol quietly remains the most widely abused substance.
Misconceptions About Alcoholism
Misconceptions about alcoholism also perpetuate its underestimation. Dina emphasizes that alcoholism doesn’t always look like a person who has lost everything or faced legal trouble. "Life on the outside could be perfect. You can have all the things, but inside, that’s just not the case. You're trying to drink away this undrinkable feeling." Many alcoholics function seemingly well, paying bills and holding jobs while battling severe inner struggles.
"We wait until people reach 'rock bottom' to get help," Dina says, "but sometimes the signs are subtle: depression, physical irritability, fatigue, or strained relationships. These can all be manifestations of alcoholism." Early intervention is critical, and we need to move away from the "rock bottom" narrative to help individuals before their condition worsens or leads to other drug use.
The Role of Technology in Holistic Treatment
Technology plays a vital role in holistic treatment strategies, and embracing it can transform recovery journeys. Tools like Soberlink provide a reliable way to track sobriety while fostering connection and accountability. "Soberlink is not large; it’s transportable," Dina explains. "You can take it out with you, and nobody knows the difference. It slips into a bag, purse, or pocket. It acts as a liaison between building trust and transparency, opening up the lines of communication."
Soberlink’s features, like facial recognition and tamper detection, ensure its reliability and reassure families and clinicians alike. "Alcoholics and addicts tend to be very crafty. If I don’t want somebody to know something, I’ll go to great lengths to conceal it," Dina says. "Soberlink’s facial recognition makes it clear who is using the device, and the results are shared in real-time with loved ones or professionals."
Despite its potential, some professionals resist new technologies, which can harm opportunities for clients. "When people are resistant, they lose the ability to serve clients’ needs to the best of their ability," Dina notes. "Every person is unique, and integrating technology like Soberlink into a broader strategy ensures that clients receive personalized, effective care."
The Power of Love and Understanding
Ultimately, recovery is about more than tools or strategies—it’s about love and understanding. Dina reminds us, "Love has the power to heal, and healing is what changes the behavior. Understand that it’s not personal when a loved one makes choices that harm themselves. Instead of giving hard ultimatums, try to learn with them what options are available."
Spreading love and awareness begins with fostering a culture of empathy. Love, in the context of addiction recovery, is not about condoning harmful behavior but about meeting people where they are. This means approaching individuals with compassion, acknowledging their struggles without judgment, and offering a path forward through understanding. “If they would stop, they would stop,” Dina emphasizes, urging families to focus on the underlying pain rather than the visible symptoms of addiction.
Embracing innovation also reflects love and understanding. Technology like Soberlink doesn’t replace human connection—it enhances it. Its tamper-proof design, facial recognition, and real-time updates provide a sense of security for families, empowering them to support their loved ones with confidence. Resistance to these tools can hinder progress, while openness to them can create new opportunities for healing and growth. As Dina reminds us, “As a civilization, embracing new technologies is everything.”
Finally, spreading love involves breaking the stigma that keeps people silent about their struggles. Dina explains, “Professionals and families can help normalize sobriety by celebrating it openly and encouraging individuals to share their stories. By doing so, we create a culture that values honesty and support over secrecy and shame.
Conclusion
This National Addictions Awareness Week, let’s not only recognize the prevalence of alcohol addiction but also honor the profound challenges and triumphs of those in recovery. Alcohol, despite being the most commonly abused substance, often goes unmentioned in national conversations about addiction. By shining a light on its impact, we can help remove the barriers to recovery and offer support to those who need it most.
To all addiction treatment professionals, thank you for your tireless dedication. Your compassion and innovation inspire countless individuals to seek and sustain recovery. Let this week serve as a reminder of your vital role in fostering change—not only for those battling addiction but for families, communities, and the broader cultural narrative around alcohol.
As we move forward, let us commit to spreading love, raising awareness, and embracing new tools and strategies that can save lives. Together, we can ensure that no one feels alone in their journey, and together, we can continue to bring addiction out of the shadows and into the light of hope and recovery.