Albuquerque — Under the motto, “we can’t get rid of the addiction, but we can ‘lend a hand’ to the people who are afflicted,” Sadie D. Marrufo founded Mano de Ayuda Counseling (A Helping Hand), a non-profit organization focusing on therapy for people with drug or alcohol addictions.

The idea for the organization was a dream of Marrufo, who had worked in a private company for 30 years to provide for her three children as a single mother.

When she retired, Marrufo went back to school to continue her studies in psychology and become a therapist. She worked in a few agencies, and when she had enough experience, opened her own agency, focused on service for the Spanish-speaking community.

“There aren’t many agencies that offer services in Spanish, and they’re very necessary. Besides Mano, there are only two; David Ibargo and Aliviar,” said Marrufo, who is also the director of the organization.

Located at 2929 Coors Boulevard in Albuquerque, Mano de Ayuda has helped more than 1250 people over the last five years, offering counseling for groups, individuals and couples, as well as classes on road rage, domestic violence and parental education.

“Addiction is just a symptom that carries many emotions under it, such as anger. Through therapy, we help them face their addiction,” Marrufo said.

The problem of addiction is a bold reality in the country.

And estimated 22.3 million people over the age of 12 were classified as dependent on some type of drug or alcohol in the U.S. according to a report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2009.

The DWI Resource Center reported that 49,255 traffic accidents in New Mexico involved an intoxicated individual, ranking it eight in the nation for DWI cases.

Mano de Ayuda works with the City to provide services to people who are mandated by the court, or come on their own accord. Usually, Medicaid can cover the cost of therapy, but the agency also offers services at low cost or free of charge, depending on the economic situation of each person.

For Marrufo, the specialized treatments that clinics like Mano de Ayuda provide could be the most successful solutions to end addictions. But, they’re not always available to everyone.

The national study, Young Adult’s Need for and Receipt of Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use Treatment de Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reported that almost 7 million U.S. citizens between 19 and 25 need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. It also showed that among them, about 93 percent don’t receive special treatment for their problem.

For many, a DWI could become an opportunity to receive therapy, since just one third of people with an addiction seek help on their own.

Therapy teaches how to deal with difficult emotions, such as anger or sadness, or even happiness. The patient can also come to better understand their trauma, and how to get past it.

“Since we were children, we have been taught to avoid pain; we don’t know how to face it. So, many seek refuge in drugs because they work well,” Marrufo said. “It keeps them from processing their emotions, and lets them avoid the height of pain.”