Hazelden is one of the most respected national nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. In a recent survey, Hazelden revealed that stigma still remains toward people who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

Although 78 percent of Americans recognize that addiction is a chronic disease rather than a moral failing, the words used by those surveyed when asked to describe people who have problems with drugs or alcohol included: “sinner,” “irresponsible,” “selfish,” “stupid,” “uncaring,” “loser,” “undisciplined,” “pitiful,” “pathetic,” “weak,” “criminal,” “derelict,” “washed up” and “crazy.” The single highest negative consequence reported of having a family member with a drug problem was “embarrassment/social stigma.”

“What Hazelden’s new survey brought home to me is that Americans understand addiction is a disease, yet much more work must be done to explain how effective treatment can be for addicts and to bring an end to the stigma that prevents addicts from pursuing treatment,” says William Cope Moyers, executive director of Hazelden’s Center for Public Advocacy. “We also learned that 58 percent would like more of this discussion about addiction to be done in public.” Accordingly, Moyers says the “Attitudes Toward Addiction Survey” has become the catalyst for a 2009 public advocacy campaign that Hazelden will soon launch in Washington, D.C., and across the country.

“Hazelden’s Center for Public Advocacy is dedicated to changing public perceptions about addiction and promoting public policy that puts recovery within reach of all who need it,” said Mark Mishek, president and CEO of Hazelden. “The good news is – effective treatment for addiction exists, people in recovery lead useful lives and insurance could, and should, cover addiction treatment. Let’s work together to help improve public understanding of America’s No. 1 health problem – addiction to alcohol and other drugs.”