< Back to All Resources
For many years, clinicians and researchers in the drug addiction field have promoted the view that addiction is a disease and not a moral failing. This has been crucial not only for supporting research in new treatments but also for reducing the stigma that surrounds disordered drug use. However, the concept of addiction as a disease of the brain has been questioned by many, both in the health care field and in the lay public.1. In particular, some policymakers and treatment providers have rejected the notion that brain changes underlie the lack of behavioral control in those suffering from addiction. This has hindered the adoption and utilization of effective harm reduction measures like needle exchange programs and of medications for treating drug addiction.
External Link
http://www.naadac.org/assets/1959/aar_fall2015_web.pdf
Related Topics
- Behavioral Health
- Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT)
- Treatment Models