We Believe..
Chemical dependency is a progressive family
disease identifiable by
a specific set of symptoms.
It is a chronic, but treatable
disease that negatively
affects the sufferer in
every major life area.
The primary symptom of
the disease is permanent
loss of the ability to
control the use of alcohol
or other drugs and the
primary goal of treatment
must be total abstinence.
Co-occurring
disorders are substance
abuse and mental disorders
occurring simultaneously.
Although each disorder
has distinct and specific
symptoms they also share
many common elements,
i.e., biological and genetic
components, treatability,
relapse/regression potential,
denial, and associated
shame and guilt. The illnesses
are primary regardless
of origins or on-going
interaction, necessitating
independent and simultaneous
treatment.
