National survey reveals bias against recovering alcoholics and addicts

According to a national survey by the Hazelden Foundation, the majority of Americans say they accept alcoholism as a disease (79 percent); yet when presented with a practical situation, many people reveal a bias against the recovering alcoholic or addict.

The telephone survey of 1,500 adults across the country found that if the respondents had to choose between two equally qualified job candidates -- one who's a recovering alcoholic and one who never needed treatment for alcoholism -- almost half (47 percent) said they would hire the one who never needed treatment. Only 14 percent said they would hire the recovering person. 34 percent said they had no preference. When respondents were asked to choose between two job candidates -- one who's a recovering drug addict and one who never needed treatment for drug addiction, 60 percent said they would hire the one who never needed treatment. Only 10 percent said they would hire the recovering person. 26 percent said they had no preference.

"Obviously more education needs to be done to help the public understand addiction and recovery," says Bob Ferguson, director of alumni relations for Hazelden. "It is unfair to discriminate against people who are recovering from this disease. Thousands of alcoholics and addicts go through treatment each year and return to healthy, productive lives. Hazelden has been waging this battle against public opinion for 50 years, and while great strides have been made, there is clearly more work to be done. Recovering people don't need special privileges -- they just need to be treated equally."

In fact, when the Hazelden survey results are compared with previous national Gallup polls, the percentage of people who think alcoholism is a disease has decreased over the past decade. In 1987, 87 percent of those polled by Gallup thought alcoholism was a disease, compared with 79 percent in the 1999 Hazelden survey.

A question regarding insurance coverage for chemical dependency treatment also revealed that more work needs to be done before people recognize addiction as a treatable disease. Only 62 percent of respondents said insurance coverage is as important as coverage for diseases like diabetes and heart disease. That attitude has not changed much since a 1982 Gallup poll in which 59 percent of those surveyed agreed to a similar statement that alcoholism treatment should be covered by medical insurance. "While public opinion hasn't changed much since then, the health care industry has," said Ferguson. "Now, in 1999, many people find it harder to receive adequate coverage for treatment of this disease.

"There are still a lot of people who need help taming their addiction," said Ferguson. "The good news is treatment works."

About Hazelden

The Hazelden Foundation is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization providing treatment, education, prevention and professional services in chemical dependency and related addictive disorders. Hazelden has been helping people recover from the disease of alcohol and drug dependency since 1949. Recognized throughout the world as a leader and often a role model for other treatment centers, Hazelden offers individualized information, education and clinical services throughout the recovery process. Hazelden tailors specific recovery programs for men, women, adolescents, young adults and older adults at its regional sites in Minnesota, West Palm Beach, Fla., New York and Chicago.

About the Survey

This telephone survey, conducted for Hazelden by Market Facts, polled a nationally representative sample of 1,500 adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent. SOURCE Hazelden Foundation

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