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8 Organizations that Combat Drug Addiction

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The issue of drug addiction has always been an important problem in both Canada and the USA, but in today’s world, it is more urgent than ever to combat this crisis. As the opioid epidemic and other substance abuse problems continue to worsen, it has become even more crucial to provide complete addiction treatment for individuals.

Addressing addiction involves reducing overdose deaths, fostering recovery, and supporting mental health. Despite advancements in treatment, many communities face barriers such as limited access, stigma, and lack of healthcare resources. It is essential to tackle these challenges to offer individuals the opportunity to recover.

By improving addiction support systems, we can better combat this crisis and ensure the prosperity of our communities. This article details 8 great organizations dedicated to combatting drug addiction in Canada and the USA, describing their work and achievements. 

Shatterproof

Shatterproof is an organization working to break the stigma surrounding drug addiction and provide better support for those affected by it. Since its founding in 2013, they have combatted drug addiction by changing the way addiction is understood and treated. Shatterproof focuses on providing routine screenings for each patient, medications, treatments, and therapy for people affected by drug addiction, and recovery support.

Shatterproof fights the stigma surrounding addiction by thoroughly educating others on the causes and impacts and ways to help regarding drug addiction. Since its founding, Shatterproof has helped pass policies benefitting hundreds of millions of people and has reached and educated thousands of healthcare providers.

Donations to Shatterproof help fund groundbreaking research, raise awareness and support policy changes to improve addiction treatment and recovery, making a significant impact on the addiction crisis. 

Faces and Voices of Recovery

Faces and Voices of Recovery is an organization that promotes recovery solutions for those impacted by addiction. Since its founding in 2001, they have combatted addiction through recovery advocation, education, and community support. Faces and Voices of Recovery offers peer recovery support services and training programs for people in recovery, along with resources for recovery organizations.

Additionally, they host public awareness campaigns and events to reduce the stigma associated with drug addiction and promote recovery. Since its founding, Faces and Voices of Recovery has become the leading nonprofit recovery advocacy organization, raising 350 million dollars for the cause, and today continues to support and empower individuals in recovery. Donations to Faces & Voices of Recovery support advocacy for equitable care, training, and partnerships with community organizations, making a lasting impact on drug abuse recovery.

Smart Recovery

Smart Recovery is an organization that is dedicated to providing a science-based alternative to traditional addiction recovery methods. Since its founding in 1994, Smart Recovery has combatted addiction through a variety of programs and resources designed to help individuals reach long-term recovery.

Their programs are based on the latest scientific research on drug addiction and implement cognitive behavioral therapy methods. They provide face-to-face meetings focused on building motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and living a balanced life.

Since its founding, Smart Recovery has grown to support tens of thousands of people in over 3,000 weekly meetings. Donations to SMART Recovery support the spread of self-empowerment and a balanced life beyond addiction through a science-based, stigma-free approach to recovery.

Partnership To End Addiction

Partnership to End Addiction is an organization dedicated to prevention, treatment, and recovery. Since its founding in 2019, they have combatted drug addiction by educating and empowering families and advancing effective care. They provide information to families about detecting, preventing, and reacting to teen drug addiction. Partnership to End Addiction also offers resources for treatment and recovery, such as options for treatment, support groups, and tips for fostering long-term recovery.

Since its founding, Partnership to End Addiction has helped thousands of parents and families navigate their loved ones’ addiction, and today continues to remain dedicated to ending addiction. Donations to the Partnership to End Addiction help provide parent coaching, connect parents to addiction specialists, and support extended coaching, making a significant impact on families affected by addiction.

The Herren Project

The Herren Project is an organization dedicated to providing resources and support for individuals and families affected by addiction. Since its founding in 2011, they have combatted drug addiction by providing a variety of support services and resources for impacted people. The Herren Project offers recovery housing scholarships, online support groups, and treatment assistance to help individuals. They also provide prevention programs in schools to educate youth about the risks of substance abuse.

Since its founding, The Herren Project has helped thousands of people access treatment and recovery from addiction, and today continues to remain dedicated to empowering those struggling with addiction. Donations to the Herren Project support treatment placement, recovery coaching, housing scholarships, family support services, and prevention programs, helping individuals and families heal from addiction.

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services(AAWS) is an organization dedicated to providing a structured peer-support program for individuals struggling with alcoholism. Since it was founded in 1935 by two guys from Ohio, they have combatted alcohol addiction by providing a supportive community and a structured program for recovery. The foundation of their program is their 12-step program, which includes admitting powerlessness over drugs and alcohol, making amends with yourself, and helping others overcome addiction.

They also offer thousands of local and online meetings where members can share their experiences and support one another. Since its founding, AAWS has become a global organization and continues to help over 2 million people in 180 countries achieve and maintain sobriety. Donations to Alcoholics Anonymous World Services support the organization’s efforts in providing recovery resources, maintaining meeting spaces, and spreading the message of hope and recovery to individuals struggling with alcohol addiction worldwide.

The Council on Recovery 

The Council on Recovery is an organization dedicated to providing recovery services for people affected by alcoholism, drug abuse, and mental health disorders. Since its founding in 1946, they have provided counseling and treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. The Council on Recovery offers behavioral health services for community prevention and education, promoting better-educated communities.

The organization also supports long-term recovery, guiding individuals toward sobriety and wellness activities. Since its founding, The Council on Recovery has provided prevention, education, treatment, and recovery support programs to over 60,000 individuals and over 20,000 youth. Donations to the Council on Recovery support treatment programs, counseling services, and educational initiatives, bringing hope and healing to individuals and families affected by addiction in communities.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is an organization dedicated to providing recovery support to individuals and families impacted by addiction. Since its founding in 1949, they have combatted drug addiction by offering evidence-based treatment and resources to families.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation provides personalized treatment programs, including inpatient and outpatient programs, and specialized programs for disabled people or older adults. They also help families navigate addiction by offering support services such as coaching, support groups, and workshops.

Since its founding, The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has become the leading addiction treatment center in the US, directly supporting over 23,000 people every year, and continues to remain dedicated to providing comprehensive health and treatment options to combat addiction. Donations to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation support prevention and recovery solutions nationwide, with nearly 78% of funds dedicated to providing care for children, families, youth, and adults. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the need to combat drug addiction in Canada and the USA has never been more urgent. With substance abuse problems worsening, providing addiction treatment and support is essential for enabling recovery and ensuring community well-being.

Despite progress in treatment methods, many communities still face barriers such as limited access, stigma, and inadequate resources. The organizations highlighted in this article are essential in overcoming these challenges. By supporting these organizations, we can make significant progress in combating addiction and offering individuals a chance of recovery.

About the author

Matea Tam