"Addiction" Nursing is an outdated term.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2020

1 hour ago, Luke79AU said:

The addict HAD a choice. They made the wrong one. Once that physical and mental addiction started, with drugs like heroin, that can take a remarkably short period of time, they then have zero choice.

We are nurses. Try to treat everyone with compassion. Addicts always have a reason why they are addicts.

It's not an "all or nothing" thing. You can have compassion for a person with a substance use disorder and still recognize that they have to take responsibility and be an active part of their own recovery. If in fact they have zero choice, well, that leads back to what I said- a person who has truly lost all agency and and is doing harm to themselves and others should have substituted judgment/guardianship.

If "zero choice" were in effect, no one would ever decide to go their first meeting...

Nurse Pompom · Apr 12, 2021

On 10/9/2019 at 1:39 PM, havenrn said:

I just wanted to suggest changing the name of this specialty. "Addiction" is a dated term. Currently the term Substance Use Disorder or SUD treatment nurse would be appropriate. The history of the word addiction denotes a mental/moral failure and not a disease. More and more research is bringing a better understanding of the brain and substance dependency. Changing the title of the specialty would discourage further use of the word "addiction" and the misconceptions of substance use disorder in the nursing community. Just a suggestion...

I don't see it as a disease. "Substance Use Disorder" or "disease" implies that the person has no responsibility concerning his or her addiction. Does that mean that drunk drivers should get away with killing people by raising the "It's a disease" white flag?

One of the key points to walking way from addiction is accountability. Obviously it all start with detox as well.

TriciaJ, RN · Apr 23, 2021

Back in 1980 my psych instructor was explaining to us the new nomenclature for something or other "to remove the stigma". I asked her if changing the name periodically just serves to keep the stigma alive. Having to keep coming up with new euphemisms is certainly a signal that something is "bad".

I suggested we just keep the same term, be matter of fact about it and see if the stigma would gradually abate on its own. She gave me an icy stare and told me she was "very glad" I brought that up and promptly changed the subject.

EKUGRAD, BSN, MSN, RN, CNS · May 3, 2021

Me: 38 years treating people with addictions (and several hundred other diseases). 22 years clean by the Grace of God and the power of Narcotics Anonymous. Remember that medical "diagnosis" is the realm of medical practitioners. We specialize in the practice of NURSING. Remember that our patients ARE people with their own perceptions, biases, culture and position in society. When the vast majority of your patients and families use the word "addiction" to refer to their disease, why confuse the issue? They have enough change in their life to deal with ! I used Substance Abuse Disorder a few days ago at a N.A. meeting and got several giggles and snide comments about renaming what's already been accepted for years. I am personally very happy that Nursing, as an essential Profession, is finally recognizing the millions of people that suffer, and those that die, from addiction. All day. Every day.

Luke79AU · May 4, 2021

We’re all missing a critical point here.

It is not possible to become addicted/dependent to a drug that does not possess addictive properties.

Little old lady hooked on her sleeping pills is addicted or dependent because of the properties of the drug. She was prescribed that drug.

The core problem is this, in my opinion:

Lack of pharmacological knowledge. Pharmacists know the most about drugs, out of the large cohort of healthcare professionals. They have little say in what is used, because of:
The deep entrenchment and entanglement of law in medicine and drugs. People calling the shots require no medical/nursing/pharmacology knowledge. Why? Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, etc., should be calling the shots.

John Kraft · Jan 17

Your suggestion to replace "Addiction" Nursing with the term "Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Nurse" is insightful and aligns with evolving perspectives on addiction. The shift in terminology acknowledges the medical nature of substance dependency and helps combat outdated stigmas associated with moral or mental failure. Embracing terms like SUD reflects a more accurate understanding of the condition and promotes a compassionate, evidence-based approach in the nursing community. This change could contribute to fostering a supportive environment for patients seeking treatment while dismantling harmful misconceptions.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 21

Changing the name doesn't change the bias.

Luke79AU · Feb 2

John Kraft said:

Your suggestion to replace "Addiction" Nursing with the term "Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Nurse" is insightful and aligns with evolving perspectives on addiction. The shift in terminology acknowledges the medical nature of substance dependency and helps combat outdated stigmas associated with moral or mental failure. Embracing terms like SUD reflects a more accurate understanding of the condition and promotes a compassionate, evidence-based approach in the nursing community. This change could contribute to fostering a supportive environment for patients seeking treatment while dismantling harmful misconceptions.

But consider this: A patient has a disorder. The onus is on them. "Addiction" puts the onus also on the drug (or alcohol). It bridges gaps. Nicotine and caffeine addicts are everywhere.

SUD is too DSM-V for me.