ASAM Comments on ONDCP "Changing the Language of Addiction" Document

ASAM submitted comments to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in response to their draft document "Changing the Language of Addiction." This document was drafted by ONDCP to address the role stigma plays in preventing people from seeking and receiving treatment, and to recommend federal agencies consider standard and non-stigmatizing language for addiction. Additional background is available here. 

ASAM thanks the ONDCP for their leadership in having the important discussion on how to adopt a common, science-based lexicon for addiction, and we commented on some of the specific terminology used in the draft document. ASAM stressed the significance of accurately using the terms addiction, medication assisted treatment, and recovery, among others. 

Read all of ASAM's Comments on "Changing the Language of Addiction."