Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a chronic, progressive disease that affects families and individuals regardless of race, gender or economic status. For those who survive without recovery, substance use disorders have devastating, life-long consequences that are often fatal. The good news is that substance use disorders are treatable. First Call, formerly called the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, was founded in 1958 to serve the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. At that time it was the only agency of its kind in the community and the primary focus was to disseminate information on alcoholism as a disease and to help people find resources for treatment. Today, First Call provides assessment, treatment, prevention and referral services to over 60,000 people annually, including adults and youth seeking recovery and children and family members impacted by a loved one's substance use disorder.