Education, Information,

Help and Hope

Since 1944, the National Council on Alcoholism

and Drug Dependence has been a leader

in the effort to raise public awareness

about alcoholism. As the oldest advocacy organization in the country addressing alcoholism and drug dependence, NCADD works at the national level on policy issues related to barriers in education, prevention

and treatment for alcoholics and drug dependent persons and their families. Marty Mann (1905-1980) founded NCADD and dedicated her life to teaching the public that alcoholism is a preventable and treatable

disease -- not a moral failing. She articulated three fundamental organizational concepts that have

informed the development of modern alcoholism treatment:

Alcoholism is a disease, and

the alcoholic is a sick person;

The alcoholic can be helped

and is worth helping;

This is a public health problem

and a public responsibility.

PROGRAMS

Information and Referral:

NCADD of Northwest Florida provides information, assessments and referrals for individuals or families seeking education and help for the effects of alcohol and drug dependencies.

Intervention:

NCADD of Northwest Florida offers caring, effective strategies to help chemically dependent persons to get help. A recognized specialist in the field of intervention conducts intervention training.

Prevention Education:

NCADD of NWFL offers workshops to educate professionals, teachers, students, business groups and individuals about alcohol and drug dependency. Expert speakers are available to community organizations.

18-Hour Advanced Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program:

NCADD of Northwest Florida is licensed by the State of Florida to provide Prevention Education and Outpatient Services. This program is a six-part series on the physical and emotional effects of the addictive process of alcohol and drug use. It is a comprehensive course designed for early intervention on alcohol and drug abuse, and dependency.

How to Cope:

How to Cope is a multi-faceted program designed for family and friends of substance abusers to learn about the dynamics of alcoholism and drug addiction as a “family disease.” Participants create a plan of action for recovering control of their lives.

Blast-Off Weekend:

A highly focused weekend workshop designed to identify and resolve problems related to relationships, self-esteem, abuse and other traumas. Experiential education and therapy techniques are used.

Adolescent Outreach

Resource Program: A variety of programs geared to educate students concerning the addictive nature of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

Support Services for

Faith-Based Ministries

Communities of faith are encouraged to call the Council to access the following supportive services for their members in need of intervention, consultation, training, referral, education, resources and speakers.

Pause a while:

Pause-a-While is a comfortable, confidential area of the offices where individuals can ask questions, review substance abuse resources, read, talk and get help for substance abuse issues. Upon request our staff is available for private consultation or group.

CENTER FOR BEST PRACTICES

 “Substance abuse and chemical dependency place an enormous burden on state budgets, economic productivity, and the well-being of individuals and families.  Over 13 percent of all state spending - including related spending on crime, disease, poverty, and other social problems

- can be linked to substance abuse and addiction. One out of every five Medicaid dollars spent on hospital care is attributable to the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs.

More than one third of families involved with the child welfare system have alcohol or drug-related problems that contribute to the abuse or neglect of their children. Roughly half of state prison inmates committed their crime(s) to support a drug habit. Forty percent of all traffic fatalities and 8 percent of all motor vehicle crashes involve alcohol. Alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use are also associated with high rates of cancer, suicide, divorce, unwanted pregnancy, domestic violence, disability, workplace absences and lost productivity, unemployment, poverty, and homelessness.”