How do we bridge the gap between science and practice?

Science has finally established alcohol and other drug addiction as a brain disease. Yet, public denial of this truth remains rampant.

• Tens of thousands die needlessly every year from substance use disorders.
• Families suffering because of addiction are riddled with feelings of rage, sorrow, bewilderment and shame.
• Alcohol and other drugs play a major role in crimes of theft, domestic violence, rape, child maltreatment, homicide and suicide.
• Substance abuse and addiction cost federal, state and local governments at least $467.7 billion in 2005. The total financial impact on the nation is, of course, much greater.

It is no longer ethical nor acceptable to ignore this national crisis

• Research findings about the disease of addiction must be translated into language that both physicians and the general public can understand.
• Changing how people think about addiction to alcohol and other drugs will change the current climate of stigma, misunderstanding and denial.
• Changes in attitudes about addiction will cause changes in behavior…individually and across the nation.

In all of its activities, the Betty Ford Institute attempts to translate and disseminate scientific findings to promote a more informed public view of addiction as a brain disease, to remove the stigma against the addicts who suffer from it, and to foster and shape future research agendas.

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