Change the Conversation
Did you know: simply changing the words we use to talk about and to people with substance use disorder can have a meaningful impact in their likelihood to seek treatment, maintain sobriety, and develop social connections? Ending stigmatizing language surrounding substance abuse disorder is crucial for fostering a compassionate and supportive community. Stigmatizing terms perpetuate harmful stereotypes and can discourage individuals from seeking help, and Virginia’s General Assembly seems to agree. Participants from Giles County’s drug court traveled to Richmond in support of Del. Jason Ballard’s, R-Giles, bill asking the General Assembly to officially change the name from Drug Court to Recovery Court. Emilie Kessinger, a drug court participant, told the subcommittee considering the name change, “The word ‘recovery’ gives us freedom from our past”, with Ballard commenting that his legislation “simply seeks to reduce the stigma…and focus on the positive aspects associated with recovery.”
Click here to read more about the Giles County participants' experience in Richmond and watch for more guidance in future posts about how to start the conversation around substance use with friends, family members and teens!
Consider these alternatives to commonly used words/phrases to reduce stigma:
Instead of “addiction”… use “substance use disorder” (SUD)
Instead of “addict”… use “person with substance use disorder”
Instead of “user”… use “person with SUD” or “person with X addiction”
Instead of “addicted to X”… use “has X use disorder”
Instead of “clean”… use “in recovery”
Instead of “junkie”… use “person in active use”
Instead of “dirty screen”… use “actively using” or “testing positive for substance use”
Instead of “drug habit”…use “regular substance use”
Instead of “former addict”… use “person in long-term recovery”
Instead of “opioid replacement”… use “medication assisted treatment”
Instead of “abuse”… use “use” (illicit drugs) or “misuse” (prescription medications)