"Treatment needs to be readily available."

Because individuals who are addicted to drugs may be uncertain about entering treatment, taking advantage of opportunities when they are ready for treatment is crucial.

In an ideal America, we would spend fewer tax dollars on incarcerating those who suffer from addiction, and a lot more dollars providing treatment on demand. That day isn't here, and it probably will not be here for some time to come.

For those who are financially situated to be able to afford Sober Champion services, however, a wide variety of treatments are available on demand, and the wise move is to take advantage of them before the criminal justice system catches up with you.

Too often, even those with substantial means fail to reach out for help. Most often, this is due to some very common elements:

• a lack of understanding about the nature of addiction and alcoholism;
• a fear of being perceived - by themselves or others - as being weak or ineffective;
• a belief that they can "handle it" on their own, a la John Wayne;
• a lack of acceptance of the depth of the problem.

Having treatment available is only one piece of the puzzle. Without the willingness to explore treatment options, no sufferer will seek the help he or she needs.

Therefore, one way family, friends, and business associates can help someone they care about is to educate themselves about the twin monsters of addiction and alcoholism, and to make themselves aware of the wide variety of options available to those who suffer.

An intervention may be called for, but quite often a conversation and some education will work wonders.

"Potential treatment applicants can be lost if treatment is not immediately available or is not readily accessible." This line from the NIDA is more telling (and more chilling) than any of us can ever know. The simple word "lost" speaks mountains about what can happen to addicts and alcoholics who are not made aware of the options available to them.