Common sense addiction talk

Sometimes we in the field of addiction treatment speak a language that’s not understood by most people – we need common sense addiction talk. There’s been a tendency to soften the language, but much of these efforts muddy the issue rather than help. To call alcoholism Alcohol Use Disorder might be useful for professionals in the field of addiction treatment, or for insurance carriers, but most people outside addiction treatment will think the term odd, cold and clinical. People understand when you say a person has a drinking or drug problem, but they’ll likely glaze over when you say it’s an Alcohol Use Disorder or a Substance Use Disorder.

It’s time for common sense addiction talk, and to always make sure it’s clear and understood that alcohol is a drug even if it’s legal and socially acceptable. Just because a drug like alcohol is socially accepted doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Alcohol does more damage to society than all other drugs combined. This is not an attempt to prohibit alcohol, it’s just straight facts. People might not like the facts, but that doesn’t change the facts. It’s also true just because marijuana’s becoming legal in more and more states, this doesn’t mean pot no longer negatively affects memory, learning capacity and motivation.

When I first started working in the field of addiction treatment I was uncomfortable talking directly about alcohol and other drugs. I didn’t want to insult anyone. I attempted to soft sell the idea that the drug was killing the person to whom I was talking or the person’s family member, employee, friend or significant other. I no longer feel the need to talk around the problem — it’s too important and the consequences of inaction or misunderstanding are too grave. There’s a difference between being judgmental, harsh and critical and being upfront, clear and honest.

I’m not doing anyone concerned justice if I’m not upfront, clear and honest about a medical condition that’s no less threatening to life than other medical conditions like cancer and heart disease. It’s time for society to quit ignoring or talking around this major societal problem — it’s time for honesty, understanding, compassion and action — it’s time for common sense addiction talk.