How Changing The Language Of Addiction Affects Policy And Treatment [WBUR.org]

Samantha Sangenito 8/9/174:00 AM

With addiction such a prominent problem, experts say it's time to use words that don't carry judgment. Studies show that saying "addiction" instead of "substance abuse," and "person with substance abuse disorder" instead of "junkie," affects the treatment patients receive, as well as public policy.

Michael Botticelli was director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under former President Obama when he issued a memorandumspecifying how federal agencies should refer to addiction.

Here & Now's Robin Young talks with Botticelli, now executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at Boston Medical Center, about the language of addiction.

[For more of this story go to http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow...anguage-of-addiction]

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