Two events occurred recently that remind me of the stakes in getting the public to accept addiction as a disease that affects the entire family — but one that is treatable with benefits for everyone.

On March 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to expand private insurance coverage for people seeking treatment for drug dependence or alcoholism. It's the first time the House has ever voted to require insurance companies to treat addiction like other chronic illnesses. It follows by a few months similar action in the Senate.

"We've waited 12 long years for this historic day," said Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., a recovering alcoholic. "I'm grateful that the House has taken this important step to end the discrimination against people who need treatment for addiction."

There are key differences in the two bills, which must be resolved before a final version is sent to the White House, where the president has promised to sign it.

But by joining with the Senate, the House is now on record as accepting the reality that insurance companies are obligated to treat addiction like they do cancer, hypertension and diabetes.

Sadly, it may be too late for many people.

Dear Mr. Moyers: Advice isn't what I need. I'm just venting. My son, 26, worked a steady job after getting out of the Army. But he became alcoholic and had a DWI a few months ago. His boss told him to go get help. My son wanted help. But the company's insurance only paid for outpatient for 10 days, and heck, he was barely back on his feet when he was supposedly done with treatment.

He was drunk again right away, got arrested again. Insurance will only send him back to outpatient for 10 more days. He got fired. He's about to give up. Me, too. What's the point of insurance if it won't help out? — Ronald P. in Milwaukee, Wis.

Dear Ronald: Too many insurance companies cut costs by cutting corners in limiting people to cheaper, less intensive outpatient treatment.

For some, outpatient is appropriate and effective. But especially when it comes to relapse, people like your son usually need more.

I urge you to appeal to the insurance company and contact Sen. Russ Feingold (202-224-5323). He understands the issue and may be able to help.

Two days after the House vote, I spoke in Orlando at the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Association of Children of Alcoholics. Many of the founders were there. And their stories reminded me that until NACoA began in 1983, consideration for the impact of addiction on children was almost nonexistent.

"The whole notion that alcoholism or drug addiction are family diseases really wasn't a fact anyone talked about, much less really understood back then," said Sis Wenger, NACoA's executive director. "There was a lot of focus on the person with the problem, not the family who had to suffer with the problem."

Even today people still don't grasp what this means.

Dear Mr. Moyers: My wife Donna grew up with parents who were often drunk. They're both dead now. But it seems their ghosts live in this house. My wife has wild mood swings in how she relates to me and the children. Sometimes how she behaves is like an alcoholic, though she barely touches the stuff. Is it possible she's got a problem? Is there help for her? — Kevin F. in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dear Kevin: Her problem is her past and how it relates to who she is today. Children of alcoholics, even after they grow up, often experience the trauma of all things bad from living in a house where alcoholism thrived. Low self-esteem, physical or mental abuse and fear often are passed down from generation to generation and can be as debilitating today as when they were experienced at a younger age.

Your wife needs counseling and perhaps even treatment specializing in family-of-origin issues. Your story is proof that the consequences of addiction live on in families long after the alcoholics are gone.

William C. Moyers is the vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation and the author of "Broken," a best-selling memoir. The paperback edition was released in August 2007. Please send your questions to William Moyers at William@williammoyers.com. To find out more about William Moyers and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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