New Poll Finds Most Americans Support Including Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in National Health Care Reform; All Demographics Report Personal Experience With t...( Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap ...),Health

Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) Poll Shows Widespread Concern about Cost of and Access to Treatment

BALTIMORE, June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll conducted for the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap (CATG) initiative found that, regardless of race, age, where people live or income, most Americans know someone personally who has been addicted to alcohol or drugs, are worried about access to affordable treatment and support including treatment in national health care reform. The CATG initiative seeks to ensure that all people who need alcohol or drug addiction treatment have access to quality treatment services.

Among the key findings of the national poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners:

• Three-quarters of Americans (76%) know someone personally who has been addicted to alcohol or drugs. Personal experience with addiction spans all demographic groups.
• Half of Americans (49%) do not think they would be able to afford the costs of treatment if they or a family member needed it. This concern about affordability is highest among Americans with incomes under $50,000 (67% say they would not be able to afford treatment).
• Three-quarters (75%) of Americans are concerned that people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs many not be able to get treatment because they lack insurance coverage or cannot afford it.
• Nearly three-quarters (73%) support including alcohol and drug addition treatment as part of national health care reform to make it more accessible and affordable. This support cuts across all demographic groups.
• Two-thirds of Americans (68%) also support increasing federal and state funding for alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

"Americans are concerned that people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs may not be able
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