Language matters
Individuals with substance related disorders face discrimination and prejudice due to lack of understanding about the disease. The stigma surrounding substance related disorders can be reduced by understanding the evolving language used to describe these topics. Because stigma can be directed at an individual by others (social stigma), can be internalized (self-stigma), or can be systematic (structural stigma), everyone has an opportunity to use language that challenges drug-related stigma.
Please note: Sometimes people directly affected by behavioral health disorders may choose to self-identify in different ways, and those choices should be respected. The aim of this guide is not to police other people’s language, which may vary based on their lived experiences and setting. For example, someone self-identifying in a meeting may use different words than a healthcare professional, journalist, or even a family member.
Change the script
- Instead of Abstinence-based, or Abstinence-only, try: Not including a medication
- Instead of Addict, Junkie, or Substance abuser, try: Person with a substance related disorder, Substance use disorder, or Drug user
- Instead of Alcoholic, try: Person with an alcohol related disorder, or Person with a serious/severe alcohol use disorder
- Instead of Clean, try: In recovery, In remission, or Recovering from
- Instead of Clean (urine test), try: Negative for substance X, or As expected
- Instead of Dirty, try: A person still using substances, or Living with a substance related disorder
- Instead of Dirty (urine test), try: Positive for substance X, or Unexpected
- Instead of Drug-free, try: Not including a medication
- Instead of Drug habit or Habit, try: Substance related disorder
- Instead of Drug abuse or Substance abuse, try: Substance related disorder, or
- addictive disorder
- Instead of Former or reformed addict/alcoholic, try: Person in long-term recovery, Person in recovery, Person in remission, or Person in sustained remission or long-term recovery
- Instead of Graduated, try: Successfully completed an episode of treatment
- Instead of Mentally ill, try: Person living with a mental health disorder
- Instead of Methadone clinic, try: Opioid treatment program
- Instead of Non-compliant, try: Use descriptive terms geared towards stage of change (e.g., thinking about quitting use), or Continued use of substances, or Lapse in recovery
- Instead of Opioid replacement, or Opioid substitution therapy, try: Opioid medication, or Medication treatment with X, or Medication supported recovery
- Instead of Recreational, casual, or experimental users (as opposed to those with a substance use disorder), try: People who use drugs, People starting to use drugs, or People who are new to drug use
- Instead of Self-help, try: Self-directed, Mutual aid, or Mutual support
- Instead of Sober, try: Living in recovery, or Living in wellness, Living in long term recovery or wellness, or Healthy
Find more terminology and related resources, including resources for professionals, at
StopStigmaNow.org.
