The Definition of Addiction

Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.  Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases. 

Read the definition of addiction>>> 

Improving the Language of Addiction

The language that members of the media use in their reporting plays a significant role in reducing stigma surrounding addiction and overcoming this critical barrier to treatment.  Help us reduce stigma by using the following NIDAMed guidelines for language:

• Words Matter (drugabuse.gov)  
• Your Words Matter Language Showing Compassion and Care for Women, Infants, Families, and Communities Impacted by Substance Use Disorder (drugabuse.gov) 

Watch: Improving the Language & Coverage of Addiction - ASAM - YouTube

The ASAM Weekly

The ASAM Weekly is a source of timely, useful news briefings of top stories for addiction medicine combined with ASAM developments in education, advocacy, state chapter news, and more. ASAM Weekly is a great way to keep informed and is delivered to the inboxes every Tuesday.

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Understanding Addiction

National Press Foundation training on addiction provides informative and up-to-date on-demand background on addiction and treatment.  Explore a variety of relevant sessions led by leading experts in the field. 

Thank you to the reporters and outlets who attended our past Annual Conferences and National Press Foundation training. These training sessions increased journalists' knowledge of complex issues surrounding the opioid epidemic in order to improve public understanding.

Click here for on-demand online sessions.

Helpful Links:

• About ASAM
• ASAM History
• Clinical Guidelines
• Clinical Recommendations
• Public Policy Statements
• National Addiction Treatment Week
• Patient Resources
• Reporting on Addiction