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We need a new word to describe addiction as a treatable, chronic disease. What we are using right now - substance use disorder, substance abuse, alcoholic, etc. are simply the "N" words of this disease. Say it right! 

We often times forget that addiction doesn't just affect the person suffering from the disease, but everyone around him and her. Just like an other chronic disease, one who suffers from addiction cannot fight the disease alone. Recovery from this chronic disease is not unlike recovery from any other life-threatening chronic disease. Friends and family members must understand the disease too and know how to help talk about it, treat it and find the road to reovery. 

Face It TOGETHER received national recognition last week in the USA Today, as Senator George McGovern wrote an Op/Ed that acknowledges how Face It TOGETHER is an innovator in erasing the shame and stigma against addiction - a disease that hits home for the McGovern family. 

It’s time to monetize recovery the same way other chronic diseases are monetized. We can do better. We must do better. 

23 Million Americans suffer from addiction and only about 10% get the help they need any given year and those who do are oftentimes provided with time-constrained episodes of acute care. Something has got to change. 

Addiction doesn't just affect the person with the disease, but also his or her loved ones -- as a family member or friend, what do you do? How do you feel? Where do you go? No one should face drugs and alcohol alone -- Face It TOGETHER. 

Does anybody really know what disease addiction is? There are many shortcomings when defining addiction. Here, Kirby touches briefly on just a few. 

The greatest dysfunction relating to addiction may be the addiction field. Face It TOGETHER is working to define and solve these problems. Join Kirby and Face It TOGETHER in this movement, today! 

Hardly a week goes by during which we aren't bombarded with the sad news of the death of yet another celebrity who "struggled with addiction". Once the media gets a hold of these stories the headlines soon become sensationalized and like often times, this disease becomes misinterpreted. This week, Kirby stresses treatment does work and there is help out there. 

It is time we look at the "bigger picture". It's time we understand and treat addiction like any other chronic disease, an equal opportunity disease, that affects roughly 10 percent of the adult population. That's why Face It TOGETHER is raising awareness and working together with you, your family, health care providers and your employers so no one has to face this disease alone. 

This week, Kirby stresses the impact employers have on addiction and the success Face It TOGETHER Sioux Falls Employer's Initiative program has already provided to area companies and employees who suffer from this disease. We need to stretch this across America. 

In his second week of blogging, CEO, Kevin Kirby, addresses the importance of speaking out as survivors of this disease. He also highlights the importance of remembering to thank those who have helped you in your recovery and also remain respectful to the traditions. 

In his first of weekly blog postings, CEO, Kevin Kirby writes on the importance of understanding the correct language used when talking about and/or describing substance use disorder and the disease.