Distance Learning Center for Addiction Studies:Your Source for Addiction Education on the Internet

Recovery Comes to China

International Center for Addiction Studies

China is emerging as a world leader in many areas: manufacturing, technology, and transportation among others. The Beijing Olympics will bring the world to China and introduce us to a new world leader. With China’s modernization have come many social concerns, including substance abuse problems. 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 the world’s leading producer of beer and spirits and, although their 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 abuse, China may have the highest per capita rate of alcohol and drug abuse in the world in the not-too-distant future.

The Chinese societal attitude about alcohol abuse is generally that it is a “bad habit,” and not a disease. Although 12 Step Programs have been available in China to the Chinese for years, recovery and 12 Step Programs are seen as “western” ideas that will not work in Asia.

To respond to the growing needs of Asia and to introduce the Chinese public to the idea that people can and do recover from alcohol and drug dependence, the International Center for Addiction Studies (ICAS) was established in 2000 in Beijing and Shanghai, China. The goals of ICAS are:

1. To train a cadre of professionals to provide treatment and prevention services in the field of substance abuse;

2. To assist in the design, development and implementation of treatment programs in Asia;

3. To aide in the establishment of 12 Step programs throughout Asia;

4. To develop a credentialing organization for substance abuse professionals for the Asia-Pacific area; and,

5. To assist in epidemiological research in the prevalence and incidence of substance use and abuse in Asia.

Since 2000, ICAS has aided in establishing Twelve Step Programs in Mandarin and the training addiction professionals in China. From 2005-8, over four hundred people were trained as addiction specialists. Twelve Step groups (AA/NA/Al-Anon) are held daily in several cities in China. Progress is being made in addressing the growing alcohol and drug abuse issues, but much still is to be done.

In 2009, the International Center for Addiction Studies will offer an array of programs to meet these needs. You can be part of these ground-breaking activities:

Recovery Month in China—March 2-13, 2009. 10-15 American and an equal number of Asian men and women in recovery will be invited to come to Beijing and Shanghai to tell their stories of recovery and to share their experience, strength and hope of recovery. This select group will meet with health care professionals, government officials, the media, and 12 Step groups in an effort to show that people do recover and go on to lead productive, positive lives. This is not a tour. It is a chance for people with a passion for recovery to have a significant impact on China and how it views addictions and recovery.
World-class training. In 2009, three weeks of training on core topics will be provided in Beijing and Shanghai, with trainers such as David Mee Lee, Bill Mock, Stephen Andrew, David Rosenker, Janina Kean, Claudia Blackburn, Mark Publicker, and David Powell, among others. Topics will include treating co-occurring disorders, nicotine cessation programs, Motivational Interviewing, family therapy, psychopharmacology, etc. A limited number of slots are open to American to attend this training. This is an opportunity to receive high quality training and to sightsee China (the Great Wall, Tien Au Mien Square, the Forbidden City, Olympic Park, and other sites). Individuals can come for 1, 2, or 3 weeks, from March 9-27.
Advanced Training in Beijing. Bill Mock and Claudia Blackburn will teach an advanced class on family therapy and Stephen Andrew will teach an advanced class on Motivational Interviewing. The dates for both courses are March 23-27, 2009.
Funding. You can assist by contributing $150 to provide scholarships to support recovering people in China who wish to be trained as addiction professionals but cannot afford tuition. ICAS also seeks larger corporate, personal, and philanthropic donations to support ICAS 09. Treatment centers are requested to be sponsors for the training and Recovery Month. Contributions to ICAS are tax-deductible.

Future ICAS goals include:

1. Establishing an ongoing training center for Asia in the field of substance abuse treatment and prevention; and,

2. To expand 12 Step programs for local communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

If you wish to participate in Recovery Month in China, to be a participant in the select group receiving world-class training in China, to contribute to ICAS, or just wish more information about ICAS, contact Barbara Powell at the International Center for Addiction Studies, PO 831, East Granby CT 06026 USA, 860 653-4470, barbarabpowell@yahoo.com.

ICHC
Barbara Powell
P.O. Box 831
East Granby, CT 06026

Phone: 860-653-4470
Email: ICAS_09@yahoo.com
www.ichc.us.org