The immeasurable human suffering caused by chemical dependency is equally disturbing. Family dysfunction and violence, children affected by alcohol or other drugs before birth, homelessness and poverty, accidents, homicides, suicides, and crime are often rooted in the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

The rates of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, and other infectious diseases are growing among injection drug users, the homeless, prison populations, and others commonly involved with alcohol abuse or the use of illicit drugs. HIV disease and a variety of other illnesses that are related to substance abuse have affected this country’s health care system enormously . Health care costs in this country have increased at twice the rate of inflation since 1981. Medical costs are being driven even higher by the incidence of substance abuse-related infectious diseases.

Substance abuse is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disorder resulting in physical and psychological dependence on chemical substances. Much like other health disorders, it can be treated successfully. Effective treatment is essential for decreasing alcohol and drug use and many of its accompanying problems. Alcohol and drug abuse treatment reduces chemical dependency and helps control both the spread and the associated costs of substance abuse related diseases. Treatment also reduces criminal behavior and increases productive work and social functioning. (Center of Substance Abuse Treatment)

Cumberland Mountain Community Services Board offers comprehensive substance abuse services for Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties. Community based outpatient services are offered in four clinic locations. The Laurels is a residential medically supervised detoxification and stabilization program for individuals who need a supportive and supervised environment. Located at The Laurels facility is the Residential Recovery Program that provides psychiatric treatment for individuals with mental health or co-occurring issues. This crisis stabilization program allows individuals to stay in the community and is an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. The Recovery/Peer Support Program provides Recovery Coaches who serve as a link to support services and to the recovery community. Recovery Coaches bridge the gap between treatment and community supports and provide follow up, emotional support, and information for consumers struggling with substance abuse disorders.