TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution 303 (A-07)
Subject: Addiction as a Disease
Introduced by: Harris County Medical Society
Referred to: Reference Committee on Science and Education
Whereas, Alcoholism and drug dependence, including tobacco dependence, are diseases characterized by compulsive use in the face of adverse consequences as indicated by the Surgeon General's report and by policy of the American Medical Association (H-95.976) and by the Texas Medical Association (105.005); and
Whereas, A recent media report in the Houston Chronicle about success of a new anti-drug campaign message in Texas has seen a strong response in equating addiction with a disease; and
Whereas, Local success of this program, seen as an "intergenerational problem," which can be addressed by education of youth to the reality of addiction as a life-threatening disease which can be avoided; and
Whereas, There are vocal opponents to the realization that addiction is a disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association study ways in which it can be supportive in communicating the reality of the concepts that addiction is: (1) a potentially lethal but treatable disease, and (2) one that may be preventable with early education and intervention. Efforts should be directed to Texas youth to help them understand the diseases and their treatments and to stave off peer pressure to "experiment" with potentially addictive substances; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association Delegation to the American Medical Association carry a similar resolution to the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association.
Relevant TMA Policy
105.005 Physician Impairment as Medical Problem . The Texas Medical Association will pursue legislation which directs that the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners shall consider matters of chemical dependency and mental health problems as medical illnesses rather than as a basis for disciplinary action (Committee on Physician Health and Rehabilitation, p 51, A-93; amended BOC Rep. 3-A-03).
Relevant AMA Policy
H-95.976 Drug Abuse in the United States- the Next Generation . Our AMA is committed to efforts that can help prevent this national problem from becoming a chronic burden. The AMA pledges its continuing involvement in programs to alert physicians and the public to the dimensions of the problem and the most promising solutions. The AMA, therefore: . . . (7) affirms the concept that substance abuse is a disease and supports developing model legislation to appropriately address perinatal addiction as a disease, bearing in mind physicians' concern for the health of the mother, the fetus and resultant offspring; and . . . (BOT Rep. Y, I-89; Reaffirmed: Sunset Report, A-00)
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007