Title: Recognizing addiction as a disease and supporting efforts to prevent, treat, and destigmatize substance use disorder and addiction.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution recognizes addiction as a treatable, chronic medical disease and supports evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder and efforts to prevent and destigmatize addiction.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 714 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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;
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 agreed-upon 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 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes addiction as a treatable, chronic medical 
        disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, 
        genetics, the environment, and an individual's life 
        experiences;
            (2) supports evidence-based treatment approaches for 
        substance use disorder that address the biological, 
        psychological, and social aspects of the disorder; and
            (3) supports efforts to prevent and destigmatize substance 
        use disorder and addiction.
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