What, exactly, is addiction? In a perfect world, asking this question would be rhetorical with one answer. Reality demonstrates that many people, including many in the behavioral health field, have varied and opposing ideas of addiction.
The Addiction Policy Forum has created a short, four-minute video that explains addiction, its history, its prevalence in the US and more. It helps dispel the myth that addiction is the result of a deficient character, and promotes the scientific view of addiction as a chronic disease that is treatable.
Videos like this one are even more valuable in the face of the opioid epidemic. As more and more people encounter addiction in their friends and family, the need for community support instead of ostracism will grow. Help increase knowledge of and support for addiction treatment in your community by viewing and sharing the video.