China and Recovery

by Dr. David J. Powell

In a country of over 1.3 billion people, four times that of the United States, the increase in substance abuse is alarming. China is currently the world’s leading producer of beer and spirits, and although the rates of addiction have historically been lower than most nations, alcoholism and drug abuse are rising fast in China. At the current rate of incidence of substance use and abuse, China may have the highest per capita rate of alcohol and drug abuse in the world in the not-too-distant future.

Significant attention is needed to address this growing concern. Since 2000, the International Center for Health Concerns Inc., has aided in establishing Twelve Step Programs in Mandarin and the training of addiction professionals in China. From 2005-8 over 400 people were trained as addiction specialists. A credentialing procedure is being established for China and all of Asia. Twelve Step groups (AA/NA/Al-Anon) are held daily in cities throughout China. Progress is being made in addressing the growing alcohol and drug abuse issues of China, but much still is to be done.

Since the general attitude in china is that addiction is a “bad habit,” and not a disease, public attitudes are greatly affecting whether people come for treatment. It has been joking said, “there are no women alcoholics in China,” as female drinking and intoxication carries significant social stigma still. The public needs to be educated to see addiction as a disease and not a moral problem.

Health care professionals working with addicted individuals need to be further trained. So far, there remain far too few treatment centers and beds for detoxification in China. The medical profession also views addiction either as a moral or a criminal justice problem.

To respond to these needs, the International Center for Addiction Studies (ICAS) was established in Beijing, China, providing training and technical assistance to professionals throughout Asia. ICAS’s goals for 2009-2012 are:

• To support the growth of 12 Step programs in Asia;
• To train health care professionals and recovering people in the 12 Core functions;
• To offer advanced training in marriage and family counseling and Motivational Interviewing skills;
• To credential trained addiction specialists in China, including medical professionals, human services workers, and recovering counselors;
• To assist in the development of epidemiological research and an assessment tool for alcohol and drug abuse in Mandarin for Chinese; and,
• To train on alcohol and drug abuse to prevention workers, corporate leaders, police and law enforcement officials, and school and university counselors.

March 09 will be Recovery Month in China. Ten to fifteen Americans will join a group of fifteen Asians who will come to Beijing, Shanghai and Changsha and share their stories of experience, strength and hope to patients in recovery, 12 Step groups, health care professionals, hospitals, the media, corporate leaders, government officials and the general public. You can be part of this ground-breaking experience. If you are in recovery and wish to join this select group, please write to barbarabpowell@yahoo.com. Only a few slots remain open, so write now.

How you can be part of the International Center for Addiction Studies:

1. Attend training. In March 09, 10-1. 15 individuals from the U.S. will be invited to attend, with their Chinese colleagues, world class training on a variety of topics. Faculty in Beijing and Shanghai will include Drs. David Mee Lee, Bill Mock, Claudia Blackburn, Stephen Andrew, Mark Publicker, David Rosenker, Janina Keane, among others. Here is an opportunity to receive top-notch training, have an opportunity to interact with Chinese colleagues, and to have amazing sightseeing adventures along the way. Participants will see the Great Wall, Tien au Mien Square, the Forbidden City, alongside of the superb training.
2. Join the select group of recovering 2. people to come to China and share your story of recovery.
3. Help people in recovery to receive training. ICAS provides scholarships for Chinese people in recovery to attend the training. A contribution of $150 (US) will provide over two weeks of training to a recovering person. Your tax-deductible contribution can be sent to ICHC, PO 831, East Granby CT 06026.
4. We seek corporate, personal 4. and philanthropic donations to support ICAS-09.

Come join in this exciting new opportunity. For further information contact either David Powell at djpowell2@yahoo.com or Barbara at barbarabpowell@yahoo.com. David J. Powell, Ph.D. is President of the International Center for Health Concerns, Inc., and is a world renowned author, and presenter. His nine books on clinical supervision, men’s issues, and other clinical topics are primary texts in the field.