Two child welfare scholars recently expressed concern that the term “substance abuse” is no longer politically correct, being replaced by “Substance Use Disorder”, or SUD.
The term SUD corrects the historical assumption made by recovery programs that giving up drugs or alcohol is simply a matter of personal choice. This ignores research that addiction is often a hereditary predisposition, which may be reinforced by a social environment that is difficult to escape.
Still, SUD victims usually have some ‘agency’, or ability to make choices, for example whether or not to use buprenorphine, which partly blocks the euphoric effects of opioids, or when to call a sponsor for support.
In many areas however, treatment services are inadequate or unavailable, which makes this debate moot. Proponents of varying views will need to work together so debates over terminology don’t take precedence over creating solutions.
Join our podcast for a conversation with SUD expert Peter Hossler about the current state of recovery programs and the planned Minnesota state task force on prenatal substance use.