The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today
announced the upcoming release of a new documentary about addiction and
recovery and the stigmas that surround them. “Reversing the Stigma”
highlights the work being done in New York State to combat addiction and
reminds viewers that addiction is a chronic disease that is treatable.
The film, narrated by acclaimed television journalist Laurie Dhue,
profiles multiple people in various stages of recovery, who share their
stories and experiences. “Reversing the Stigma” was produced by OASAS
and the New York State Media Service Center.
The film will premiere throughout New York during the month of
September, which is National Recovery Month. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
issued a proclamation marking the observance in New York State, which
can be viewed here. This year’s National Recovery Month theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities.”
“There has been a long held belief that addiction only affects
certain people, but the recent opioid epidemic has shown that it impacts
people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, languages and religions,”
said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “This
documentary is key to helping people understand that addiction is a
disease and recovery is possible. We thank Governor Cuomo for giving us
the opportunity to tell these stories, and for all of his efforts to
help reverse the stigma against people with substance use disorder.”
Dhue, a former television news anchor who hosted programs on CNN,
MSNBC, and Fox News, speaks throughout the film about her own nearly
two-decades-long struggle with addiction, as well as her own recovery
process. Along with interviews from New Yorkers in recovery, care
professionals and New York State leaders, the documentary also examines
stigma and the steps New York State is taking to address addiction and
support people whose lives it has touched.
In 2015, opioid overdose deaths rose by 16 percent across the country
compared to 2014, while in New York State, deaths rose by more than 28
percent, to a total of 2,184. With those numbers, New York is continuing
to take steps to increase access to prevention, treatment, and recovery
services. Last year, approximately 232,000 individuals received
treatment for a substance use disorder in OASAS-certified treatment
programs, with an average daily enrollment of about 98,000.
The state is also working to cut down on the number of opioid
prescriptions issued. Last year, the Governor signed a law to reduce the
limit on opioid prescriptions for acute pain from 30 days to 7 days,
and to mandate education on addiction and pain management for
prescribers. Those steps resulted in 650,000 fewer opioid prescriptions
being written in New York State, in the first year that the law was in
effect.
“Reversing the Stigma” will premiere at the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State annual conference in Buffalo on September 18. A schedule of showings throughout New York State can be found here.
“Reversing the Stigma” will premiere at the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State annual conference in Buffalo on September 18. A schedule of showings throughout New York State can be found here.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose
loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the
state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPELine at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard here
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard here
Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov
Source: The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
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