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Addicted.Com Promotes Observance of National Health Education Week

Posted on: Thursday, 18 October 2007, 12:00 CDT

In honor of National Health Education Week (this week), Addicted.com, a website for addicts and their families to find support and recovery resources online, is urging the population at large to seek out more information about the various addictions they or their loved ones may struggle with.

"Education is the first step to fighting addictions of all kinds," said Addicted.com Founder and CEO John S. Shegerian. "With literally millions of Americans suffering from addictions in today's society, it is important to replace shame and stigma with understanding, treatment and healing. The more we learn about what causes these addictive behaviors and what we can do to treat them, the better our society as a whole can become. During National Health Education Week we send a message out to those struggling with addictions: go online, read books, go to your local library -- whatever it takes to learn more about one of the most misunderstood conditions in society today!"

National Health Education Week is an annual event that is celebrated throughout the nation during the third week of October. Since 1995, the National Center for Health Education in New York City has worked to focus national attention and raise awareness of pressing health issues of interest to the public. In collaboration with a co-sponsor, the Society for Public Health Education and its 21 nationwide chapters, the Centers provide organizational support to schools and community groups, professionals, and the media throughout the nation to undertake activities for National Health Education Week at the state and local level.

"We applaud the National Center for Health Education and their partners at the Society for Public Health Education," said Shegerian. "Their attempts to bring attention to the importance of public understanding regarding health services and treatment are a major contribution to society. We know that addictions ranging from smoking and alcohol to illegal and prescription drugs are among the many health concerns affecting society today, and we also know that healing can only come through education of patient and family."

The Addicted.com site itself works to educate visitors via a full slate of professional addiction experts that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of common addictions including eating disorders, sexual addiction, gambling and drug and alcohol addiction. The site also offers people seeking help a proprietary Zip Code Locator which visitors can use to find nearby recovery centers, doctors, counselors and other assistance for their addictions.

The site is also the first of its kind to feature virtual tours of treatment facilities so that people struggling with addictions and their families and loved ones can get a sense of the treatment options available in advance.

Along with AddictedSpace and AddictedTube, visitors can take self-tests to help determine whether they have an addiction and may need to seek help. Articles, advice, experts and other resources give users the option of complete anonymity if they are seeking resources but aren't ready to share their story with the world.

Addicted.com provides addiction recovery resources and tools for addicts, family members and friends throughout the Internet community. The main goal of the site is to maintain a well-known on-line space for people to visit when they need advice, answers, assistance or just someone to talk with.

For more information on addicted.com, its mission and services, please visit www.addicted.com or contact info@addicted.com, 1-866-ADDICTED. To reach the new 24-hour LifeLine, please call 1-877-ADDICTED.

Source: Business Wire

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