Addiction misunderstood and undertreated?

So says a CASAColumbia report. Here is an excerpt:

The time has come for addiction medicine to be fully integrated into health care systems and medical practice. Health care providers, especially physicians, are our front line in disease prevention and treatment. They must understand the risk factors for addiction, screen for risky substance use and intervene when needed, and diagnose, treat and manage addiction just as they do all other diseases.

Other health care providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists and social workers, are critical parts of the solution as well. We need national, evidence-based standards that stipulate who may provide addiction treatment, and core competencies for all health care providers integrated into their education and licensing requirements. We must regulate addiction treatment facilities and programs as health care providers and hold them accountable for treatment consistent with medical standards and proven practices.