IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 714 

Recognizing addiction as a disease and supporting efforts to prevent, treat, 

and destigmatize substance use disorder and addiction. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 19, 2019 

Mr. BRINDISI (for himself and Mr. BUDD) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing addiction as a disease and supporting efforts 

to prevent, treat, and destigmatize substance use disorder and addiction. 

Whereas substance use disorder is a diagnosis made based on 

a checklist of symptoms, is specific to the substance used, 

and may be mild, moderate, or severe; 

Whereas the American Society of Addiction Medicine defines 

‘‘addiction’’ as a chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences; 

Whereas people with addiction use substances or engage in 

behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences, symptoms that correspond to 

a moderate or severe substance use disorder; 


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Whereas recognizing addiction as a disease helps to 

destigmatize substance use disorder and addiction and 

acknowledges that substance use may be beyond an individual’s control; 

Whereas certain factors place individuals at heightened risk 

of developing addiction; 

Whereas an individual’s environment and surroundings may 

intensify the risk of developing a substance use disorder; 

Whereas addiction may impact the mental and physical 

health of an individual, and mental and physical health 

disorders may contribute to substance use; 

Whereas diagnosing substance use and mental health disorders is a complex process that requires consultation 

with appropriate professionals and experts; 

Whereas substance use by an individual with addiction may 

dominate all aspects of that individual’s life and, therefore, the biological, psychological, and social aspects of 

individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder should 

be treated and addressed through a mutually agreedupon plan of action to accommodate the individual needs 

of the patient; 

Whereas treatment approaches for substance use disorder 

that target the symptoms and drivers of alcohol and drug 

use, as well as the mental health effects of such use, are 

needed; 

Whereas treatment approaches for substance use disorder 

that address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the disorder are necessary for individuals to 

make a full recovery; 

Whereas while some treatment options may differ for different substance use disorders, other interventions such 


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as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral 

therapy are effective regardless of the substance or behavior; and 

Whereas individuals with substance use disorder may lack financial, social, emotional, or other resources necessary to 

secure treatment, even if such individuals recognize the 

need for treatment: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes addiction as a treatable, chronic 

3 medical disease involving complex interactions 

4 among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and 

5 an individual’s life experiences; 

6 (2) supports evidence-based treatment ap7 proaches for substance use disorder that address the 

8 biological, psychological, and social aspects of the 

9 disorder; and 

10 (3) supports efforts to prevent and destigmatize 

11 substance use disorder and addiction. 

Æ 


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