TY - JOUR
AU - K. Humphreys
A1 - 
AB - Many members of our field are frustrated that the public does not see addiction as a legitimate medical disorder which should be compassionately addressed as a health problem rather than a criminal justice problem. Although some attribute the disconnect to the public's lack of scientific knowledge or attachment to outdated moral views regarding substance use, this commentary suggests that the problem may well be our own messaging. We would be more persuasive if we acknowledged that addiction is different from most medical disorders because of its high negative externalities, and that this understandably makes the public more scared of and angry about addiction than they are about conditions like asthma, type II diabetes, and hypertension. Relatedly, because of the amount of violence and other crimes associated with addiction, we should acknowledge that the public's belief that law enforcement has an important role to play in responding to addiction has a rational basis.
BT - Journal of Addiction Medicine
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Policy
CP - 3
CY - United States
DO - 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000306
IS - 3
JF - Journal of Addiction Medicine
N2 - Many members of our field are frustrated that the public does not see addiction as a legitimate medical disorder which should be compassionately addressed as a health problem rather than a criminal justice problem. Although some attribute the disconnect to the public's lack of scientific knowledge or attachment to outdated moral views regarding substance use, this commentary suggests that the problem may well be our own messaging. We would be more persuasive if we acknowledged that addiction is different from most medical disorders because of its high negative externalities, and that this understandably makes the public more scared of and angry about addiction than they are about conditions like asthma, type II diabetes, and hypertension. Relatedly, because of the amount of violence and other crimes associated with addiction, we should acknowledge that the public's belief that law enforcement has an important role to play in responding to addiction has a rational basis.
PP - United States
PY - 2017
SN - 1935-3227; 1932-0620
SP - 174
EP - 175
EP - 
T1 - How to Deliver a More Persuasive Message Regarding Addiction as a Medical Disorder
T2 - Journal of Addiction Medicine
TI - How to Deliver a More Persuasive Message Regarding Addiction as a Medical Disorder
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use; Healthcare Policy
U2 - 28557959
U3 - 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000306
VL - 11
VO - 1935-3227; 1932-0620
Y1 - 2017
ER -