The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) is an American advocacy organization focused on

alcoholism Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol that results in significant mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Predomi ...

drug addiction Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use oft ...

and the consequences of

alcohol Alcohol most commonly refers to: * Alcohol (chemistry), an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom * Alcohol (drug), an intoxicant found in alcoholic drinks Alcohol may also refer to: Chemicals * Ethanol, one of sev ...

and other drug use. NCADD is built on a foundation of participation by members from the medical, scientific, political and social fields which provides a multi-pronged approach to the disease of alcohol and drug addiction. It has a national network of affiliates.

History

Marty Mann, the first female to achieve

sobriety Sobriety is the condition of not having any measurable levels or effects from alcohol or drugs. Sobriety is also considered to be the natural state of a human being at birth. A person in a state of sobriety is considered sober. Organization ...

Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship of alcoholics dedicated to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually-inclined Twelve Step program. Following its Twelve Traditions, AA is non-professi ...

(AA), organized the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism (NCEA) in 1944, which later became the National Council on Alcoholism (NCA) in 1950 and then NCADD in 1990 to address concern with other drugs. The organization was established to serve a dual purpose: first to have a proactive national education and advocacy program attacking the stigma and misunderstanding about alcoholism, treatment and recovery; second, to operate service centers in communities across the country staffed by professionals helping individuals/families with alcohol problems. Those service centers grew into the NCADD Affiliate Network.

Accomplishments

* Defined "alcoholism" as a disease and successfully worked for its adoption by the

American Medical Association The American Medical Association (AMA) is a professional association and lobbying group of physicians and medical students. Founded in 1847, it is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Membership was approximately 240,000 in 2016. The AMA's sta ...

(AMA). * Formed the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). * Created the first workplace-based employee assistance program and published the first EAP Standards and Program Manual. * Hosted the first public news conference to confront stigma and celebrate recovery with over 50 prominent individuals. * Established Alcohol Awareness Month. * Led effort for the 21-year old Minimum Drinking Age Act. * Leadership role in successful campaign for alcohol beverage container warning labels. * Successfully advocated for insurance coverage for alcoholism and addiction treatment equal to other illnesses.

References

External links

*
List of NCADD Affiliates
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Council On Alcoholism And Drug Dependence Addiction organizations in the United States Organizations established in 1944 Temperance organizations in the United States Mental health organizations in New York (state)