Our service philosophy is based on the principle that each client's needs are unique. We offer services to address those needs regardless of where they fall on the continuum -- from non-use, to addiction, to recovery. We reach people at home, at school, at work and in the community.

While many will agree that the impact of addiction merits serious attention, the issues of drug and alcohol addiction are not clearly understood. Many still view addiction as a sign of moral weakness rather than a disease. Reducing the shame and stigma surrounding addiction as well as increasing awareness, understanding and community resources must remain crucial if the magnitude of alcohol and drug problems is to be overcome. The Council is committed to seeing individuals change from having feelings of despair, hopelessness and low self-esteem to seeing them regain their sense of self-worth, become stronger and move forward to achieving their hopes and dreams.

Addiction is the number one health problem in the United States, and is an increasing threat each year to our country's national well being (Institute for Health Policy). Alcoholism is a problem that affects millions of Americans every year (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 2003). More than 17 million Americans have alcohol-use disorders and 4.1 million meet the criteria for other drug-use disorders (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2004).

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that over three million teenagers are alcoholics. Several million more have a serious drinking problem that they cannot manage on their own. Adolescents who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

Alcoholism and drug abuse can lead to serious physical, emotional and spiritual problems as well as relationship and employment problems. While some of these problems are hard to measure, others are readily obtained. The figures can be staggering:

• Alcoholism and drug abuse is directly related to increased costs in healthcare and business, costing the American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, healthcare expenditures, crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions (Institute for Health Policy).
• According to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the total economic cost associated with alcohol and drug abuse in Texas for the year 2000 is estimated at $25.9 billion, or $1,244 for every man, woman and child.
• The United States Department of Justice reports that each year 183,000 (37%) of rapes and sexual assaults involve alcohol and drug abuse, as do over 197,000 (15%) of robberies, about 661,000 (27%) of aggravated assaults, and nearly 1.7 million (25%) of simple assaults.
• Individuals with substance abuse problems crowd Texas' jails and prisons. It is estimated that 6 out of 10 Texas prisoners have substance abuse problems (Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse).
• Alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable mortality in this country, contributing to 100,000 deaths annually. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17,401 individuals were killed in crashes involving alcohol in 2003 and one in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol related crash at some time in their lives.

Alcoholism and drug abuse can be successfully treated, thereby improving one's health, job performance and quality of life. Treatment for addiction can reduce family and relationship dysfunctions as well as reduce involvement with the criminal justice system (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence).

The issue of addiction remains clouded in societal denial and stigma.  There are more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities from substance abuse than from all other preventable health conditions. More than 13,500 Texans died from alcohol and drug disorders in 2000, 46% of them were younger than age 25 (Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse).