Addiction touches the lives of one out of ten Americans -- every age, all backgrounds, and a rainbow of ethnicities: rich and poor, school dropouts and brain surgeons, people of all colors, all faiths, Democrats and Republicans alike.

No one is immune. Truly, addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer.

Ironically, even today, addiction to alcohol and other drugs is also wrapped in a cocoon of myth and misunderstanding reminiscent of earlier times: it's a bad habit, it signals immaturity or a weak will, it's a sign of low morality.

And as a result, many of our society's drug policies miss the point.

The fact is, addiction affects everyone - those who suffer from it and all those it touches.

The real story about addiction needs to be told:

• That addiction to alcohol or other drugs is a treatable disease, just like cancer, diabetes, hypertension and depression.
• That addiction treatment works.
• That addiction treatment pays measurable dividends to all of society.