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Language towards those with substance use disorder is a crucial part of their recovery process. The words and phrases we use frame the public perception on addiction and recovery, affecting how individuals see themselves and their ability to change. How we address those with substance use disorder can, intentionally or unintentionally, propel stigma and create a mark of disgrace, dishonor and segregates the individual from believing they can defeat their addiction.

Stigma decreases when the public perceives individuals with addiction as not being responsible for causing his/her problem and that they are unable to control it. Did you know that those with substance use disorder are perceived more negatively than those with psychiatric disabilities, although both are considered brain chemistry disorders?

By understanding that 50% of the cause of addiction is genetics, and the rest is caused by the effects from the substances on the nervous system, leading to changes in brain chemistry and function that are impaired from use without the substance being present. Addiction is technically a chronic brain disorder and while individuals affected can recover, they need to have the utmost willpower to do so. Utilizing positive reinforcement and language helps that recovery process initiate, especially coming from doctors, family members, and counselors.

The accurate and clinical terminology for someone battling addiction is a “Substance Use Disorder Patient”. Some terms that can be perceived negatively are: “drug addict”, “abuser”, “junkie”, “dope sick”, “substance abuser”.

Specifically, the use of language towards someone with substance use disorder should include the following:

It should respect the dignity and worth of the individual
Language should avoid negative stereotypes through slang use
Promote the recovery process
Focus on the clinical nature of treatment and the disorder

Why are words so important?

In 2015, around 20.8 million Americans had an alcohol or drug use disorder. Additionally, 27.1 million people reported illicit drug use in the past month. However, 89% of those individuals estimated needed treatment did not receive any treatment services. While we cannot say this is due to stigma, if you were labeled a certain way by admitting to having an issue, would you seek out help?

It’s not on the same wavelength but think back to elementary school and the kids wearing glasses. If they were called “four eyes” on a consistent basis, did those kids choose to sit up close in class and not utilize their glasses as much? Sure they did, they didn’t want to face the stigma of not being considered “normal” by their peers.

We can work together to strike out stigma, and it starts with acceptance that addiction is not a choice. #StrikeOutStigma

Sources:

Botticelli, Michael. (2017). Changing Federal Terminology Regrading Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders

Broyles, LM. (2014). Confronting inadvertent stigma and pejorative language in addiction scholarship: a recognition and response.

Aspenti Health's summer campaign, "Strike Out Stigma", is focused on stigma reduction surrounding addiction.

What is stigma? Stigma is " a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person." In the sense of addiction, it can prevent those affected from getting the help they need due to the judgment they may face from those around them. Addiction is a disease, and should be treated as such in society.

Stigma surrounding addiction causes powerful and damaging negative self-esteems to the person in need of help contributing to higher rates of mental health concerns, incarceration, and even death.

The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 21.5 million Americans age 12 and older had a substance use disorder in the previous year; however, sadly only 2.5 million received the specialized treatment they needed. While it’s not scientifically proven that these people did not get treatment because of stigma, the fact is that most insurances, housing facilities, and employment policies don’t offer help or support to those with drug addiction.

Recovery Brands asked a group in treatment for substance use addiction to say some words on what they wished society would understand about their condition (fig 1.).

Fig. 1

Stigma hurts those being affected by isolating them. It can cause mental health ailments, self-harm, and an unwillingness to seek help or recovery treatment. Of the individuals interviewed for the piece above, most cited stigma coming from their loved ones, healthcare providers, and general society.

How can you help someone you know that has substance use disorder? Offer them compassion, avoid using hurtful language that labels them, and see them for who they really are, not just their addiction. If the person feels as though you aren’t judging them, they’re more likely to open up to you which is the first step in seeking out help. Please stay tuned for more blogs throughout this summer on stigma reduction and stats surrounding stigma against those with addiction disorder.

Sources:

Room, R. (2005). Stigma, social inequality and alcohol and drug use. Drug and alcohol review, 24(2), 143-155.
Johns Hopkins HUB. (October 1, 2014). Drug addiction viewed more negatively than mental illness, Johns Hopkins study shows.

[post_title] => How Can We Strike Out Stigma? [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => strike-out-stigma [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-07-21 19:32:25 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-07-21 23:32:25 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://aspenti.com/?p=59975 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 59345 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2019-01-09 15:01:47 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-01-09 20:01:47 [post_content] => Imagine waking up one day and deciding that you are going to rob a store to purchase enough dope to kill yourself, and if you don't make it that far and get caught....at least you'll get the help you need. That is how Jennifer Clay woke up on Easter Sunday of 2015. Clay had been in a car accident when she was 18 and was prescribed pain medication that she quickly developed an addiction to. Once her prescription ran out, she turned to illicit pills and then, heroin. She had been maintaining a job at a hospital, her house, bills, and her car. However, Clay’s addiction continued and led to her ultimately robbing a Walgreens and a friend turning her in to the police. While incarcerated, a state treatment facility inquired if Clay would be interested in beginning addiction treatment. Through group counseling sessions, she began to recover, and requested to be put into an inpatient program when she was released. Staying at a women’s recovery house following her stay in rehab, helped Clay become 100% sober. Today, she has a job, a home, and a 6-month old son. Although it’s a sad statement, Jail truly saved Clay’s life. Many women in recovery face multiple barriers due to stigma, and an upstanding role that society plays in them being the prime caretaker of their children. Barbara Rachelson, a Representative on the House Judiciary Committee, says that there is still a big stigma that people assume these women were out partying. The stigma can be so alarming that many women won’t openly speak out about their addiction, worsening their issues. Adding onto the fact that many of these women have experienced various kinds of trauma, and do not have access to affordable counseling or other mental health treatments. “Its easier to stay sober when you have more resources at your disposal than if you’re homeless or struggling”, Rachelson added. References: Katie Wedell (2018). Local Mom in Recovery: Jail 'best thing that ever happened to me'. https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/local-mom-recovery-jail-best-thing-that-ever-happened/9l17VWsAqnYzbHdRhkBTGK/ Jess Aloe (2018). Opioid addiction: Mothers in recovery face a unique set of barriers. https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2018/12/31/opioid-addiction-recovery-mothers-face-unique-challenges/2312346002/ [post_title] => Why Did This Mom Say Jail was the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Her? [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => moms-in-recovery [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-07-21 19:32:26 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-07-21 23:32:26 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://aspenti.com/?p=59345 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 3 [current_post] => -1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 59991 [post_author] => 13 [post_date] => 2019-07-25 15:34:51 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-07-25 19:34:51 [post_content] =>

Specifically, the use of language towards someone with substance use disorder should include the following:

It should respect the dignity and worth of the individual
Language should avoid negative stereotypes through slang use
Promote the recovery process
Focus on the clinical nature of treatment and the disorder

Why are words so important?

We can work together to strike out stigma, and it starts with acceptance that addiction is not a choice. #StrikeOutStigma

Sources:

Botticelli, Michael. (2017). Changing Federal Terminology Regrading Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders

Broyles, LM. (2014). Confronting inadvertent stigma and pejorative language in addiction scholarship: a recognition and response.

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