The Addiction Policy Forum Launches Online Addiction Resource Center In Effort To Address Epidemic

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Addiction Policy Forum will launch the first phase of the Addiction Resource Center (ARC) portal, an online resource for individuals and families struggling with addiction. The launch will include a series of webinars and local events in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maryland, and Ohio where state chairs and staff from the Addiction Policy Forum will walk community members and families impacted by addiction through the capabilities of the ARC and increase awareness of substance use disorders.

More than 21 million Americans are suffering from addiction and the opioid crisis is growing every year. One of the greatest barriers to obtaining treatment is the lack of a trusted place to seek help when you or family member are in crisis and in need of good information and proper care. The ARC will fill that gap by providing a central hub of information to assist people who are struggling with a substance use disorder and their loved ones.

"The ultimate goal of the ARC is to better equip patients and families with the knowledge and resources they need to understand what causes substance use disorders, how they change the brain, and what to look for in a treatment program," said Addiction Policy Forum's Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Maureen Boyle.

"Defeating this national crisis requires a new way of thinking. The ARC portal marks another major step forward in providing impacted families with the comprehensive resources they desperately need to address this chronic disease."

The new platform will dispel myths about addiction and present the science behind substance use disorder in easy-to-read formats, guide concerned individuals through a validated self-assessment tool, help them develop a proposed action plan, and direct them to resources in their local area.

"For most families, finding resources to address substance use disorder is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. The ARC portal is easy-to-use and brings to light local resources currently available to those who need them most," said Addiction Policy Forum Board Chairman Alan Mollohan, former Congressman of West Virginia's first district.

Initially, the Addiction Policy Forum will host a curated database of local resources for New Hampshire, Ohio, Maryland, and Minnesota. Visitors from other states will be directed to the national treatment finder from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Over the coming years, new states will be added with the goal of creating a more comprehensive resource that all Americans dealing with a substance use disorder can turn to for help. This marks a shift in thinking, those trying to solve the crisis acknowledge that means putting the right information into the hands of the patients and families who need it- making sure that we leverage the resources that already exist.

The development of the ARC portal was funded in part by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Indivior and Alkermes.

About Addiction Policy Forum

The Addiction Policy Forum (APF) is a diverse partnership of organizations, policymakers and stakeholders committed to working together to elevate awareness around addiction and to improve national policy through a comprehensive response that includes prevention, treatment, recovery and criminal justice reform. We envision a world where fewer lives are lost and help exists for the millions of Americans affected by addiction every day. 

Addiction Policy Forum is headquartered in Washington, DC with state chapters throughout the country that are run by family members who have been impacted by addiction. Together, the national organization and state chapters will focus on the implementation of eight strategic focus areas, all of which are critical to ensuring long-term progress against substance use disorders at the national, state and local levels.  Addiction Policy Forum's national and state programs include: "What is Addiction?" education initiative, Train the Trainer program, 174aDay awareness campaign and the Spotlight Series.

More information on our mission and projects is available at http://addictionpolicy.org. 

SOURCE Addiction Policy Forum