Have you ever read a news article that referred to someone as a “drug addict”? Or maybe you’ve seen “drug abuser”, “druggie”, “pothead”, “alcoholic” or something like that?
Using slang like the above can further perpetuate the stigma felt by individuals with addiction. Stigma can be harmful, distressing, and marginalizing for individuals and groups who bear it. Appropriate use of language when talking about addiction is vital. Inappropriate usage of language can negatively impact the way society perceives addiction and the individuals affected by it. Language can frame how we, as a society, view addiction. It can also impact how individuals think about themselves and their ability to change.
There are a number of ways that we can change how we talk about addiction.
Firstly, strive to use “people-first language”. Championed by the disability community, people-first language emphasizes the individuality, equality, and dignity of people by putting the person before the diagnosis, by describing what the person has, rather than what the person is. For example, society has evolved from talking about “that wheelchaired person” or “disabled person” to people-first language, including “the person in the wheelchair” or “people with disabilities”. In an addiction context, consider using “person with the substance use disorder” or the “adolescent with gaming disorder” rather than terms such as “druggie”, “alcoholics”, what have you. People-first language reinforces the individual’s identity as a human being, first and foremost.
Next, experts recommend using words that reflect the medical nature of addictions. We know a variety of factors contribute to the development of addictions, from genetic risk factors to the immediate and surrounding environment. Rather than referring to individuals with an addiction as “junkie” or “drug abuser” which implies the individual failed morally or personally, consider using language such as “substance use disorder” or “addictive disorders”, which puts the spotlight on the medical nature of the disorder itself. This opens the door for evidenced-based treatments and interventions that can treat such disorders.
Ideally, it is best to aim for recovery-oriented language, or in other words, language that promotes recovery. This is vital to ensure hope can be instilled in individuals with addiction, which in turn promotes optimism and supports recovery. It is crucial to emphasize an individual’s autonomy and individuality. Avoid terms such as “unmotivated” or “non-compliant” and opt for terms such as “opted out of” and “not in agreement with treatment plans” which promotes the individual’s autonomy. This is in line with the medical model’s shift from viewing the physician/doctor as the sole expert, to patient-centered care, which allows for greater involvement of the client seeking care by recognizing their unique lived experience with addiction.
Lastly, aim to avoid slang words that continue to perpetuate stigma. Slang words may include “addict”, “druggie”, “pothead”, “clean/dirty”, “users”, etc.
If you’d like to learn more about addiction, or have a general interest in this field, consider joining the Addiction Science Journal Club. This Journal Club brings together people from diverse backgrounds, training, and career stages to discuss research in addiction science on Twitter. Follow @AddictionSciJC on Twitter or use the hashtag #AddictionSciJC.
*Be sure to check out Lydia Muyingo’s blog on alcohol use during the pandemic, and read more about why words matter from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
