Making a Difference If the devastating effects of alcohol or drug dependence have touched you or a loved one, you might be interested in supporting the clinical or research work we are doing here at the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs. Your philanthropic gift can help us in our quest to better understand these brain diseases and to provide better ways to prevent and treat them. Alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and other substances of abuse take a terrible toll on the health and well-being of adults, adolescents and their families. Over 40% of American families have experienced the harmful effects of substance abuse. In addition to the psychological and legal damage that results, the short and long term effects of substance use and abuse on physical health can be devastating. Heavy alcohol consumption can cause or worsen hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pancreatitis, liver disease, oral cancer, breast cancer, and depression. Smoking is the leading and most preventable cause of heart disease and lung cancer. Cocaine leads to emotional extremes of paranoia and anger and can cause heart attacks, seizures, strokes and respiratory failure. We are making great strides in unraveling the genetic and brain aspects of addiction to understand why some people develop these substance abuse disorders and others do not. We are also one of the major centers in the United States investigating state-of-the-art medications that, along with community support groups and psychosocial treatments, can help people achieve and maintain an alcohol or drug free life. Private gifts play a vital role in helping CDAP: - Discover new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat alcohol or drug dependence
- Recruit the best researchers
- Provide the most advanced treatments in the world and make scientific discoveries to conquer addictions
- Train future drug and alcohol abuse researchers
- Purchase state-of-the-art equipment for research
There are many different ways to give. Some people may choose to give an outright gift of cash, property or stock. Others pledge a financial gift that is paid over a period of time. Still others make a gift through their estate plans or will. Many others choose to honor the memory of a loved one through their gift. If you would like to be part of the solution to overcoming this destructive disease, please call Dr. Raymond Anton at 843- 792-1226 or email antonr@musc.edu to discuss philanthropic giving to our Center. You can make a difference. |