The words people use in conversations about substance use can build bridges or reinforce barriers. Some well-known recovery-related terms carry a stigma, making it harder for clients and their families to find and get help without fear of judgment.
At St. Joseph Institute in Port Matilda, people can find a shame-free environment to heal, learn about recovery, and receive support. If you’re in treatment for substances or supporting someone in recovery, understanding the right words to use can make a difference, so let’s explore the language that encourages healing. Keep reading to learn about outdated terms, how to update them, and the hope that people in recovery can find when they contact us in Pennsylvania today.
Slang, Stigma, and Support For Substance Use Disorder
Words matter because they shape how society views and treats people seeking recovery for substance use disorder (SUD), and they can be the difference between creating stigmas and tearing them down.
Stigma is a form of discrimination against an identifiable group of people and can fuel harmful stereotypes that make people feel unworthy of help. Many outdated terms suggest substance issues are a product of personal failure rather than a medical condition requiring treatment. Here are a few ways that stigma can extend its reach:
- Words influence how healthcare providers, family members, and communities view people who struggle with substance use, sometimes for the worse.
- Using person-first language shifts the focus from labels to individuals, reinforcing dignity and self-worth.
- Certain phrases make it seem like substance use is a choice rather than a medical one and fail to recognize an individual beyond their struggle.
- Choosing non-stigmatizing language can promote understanding, reduce barriers to treatment, and encourage healthcare providers to act with more compassion.
Many recovery-related terms have been around for years, so they may sound familiar but now have negative or misleading connotations. Below is a list of outdated terms and their recommended alternatives.
Recovery-Related Terms To Understand and Update
- Addict → Person with a substance use disorder
Labels like “addict” define a person by their struggles rather than recognizing them as a whole individual. Using person-first language shows respect and helps remove negative associations.
- Junkie → Person in active use
This term carries harsh judgment and may lead directly to discrimination, fear, and dehumanization. Recognizing someone as a person first and then describing their situation can instill them with dignity in your mind and theirs.
- Alcoholic → Person with alcohol use disorder
“Alcoholic” focuses solely on the problem rather than the person working through it. Describing alcohol dependence as a disorder aligns with how we refer to other treatable health conditions.
Substance-Use-Specific Terms
- Drug abuse → Substance use or misuse
“Abuse” suggests a willful choice to cause harm to oneself or one’s family with substances rather than describe a symptom of a serious medical condition. Replacing “drug abuse” with “use” can better acknowledge that recovery involves both physical and emotional challenges.
- Habit → Substance use disorder
Referring to a substance use disorder (SUD) as a “habit” may minimize the complexity, severity, and danger of SUD. The term “substance use disorder” reflects that the situation isn’t just a behavior someone can choose to stop.
- Clean/dirty → Negative/positive test results
Saying someone is “clean” or “dirty” suggests that someone’s morals are at play when, in reality, substance use is a mental health issue. “Negative” or “positive” test results are a neutral and factual form of describing a substance screening.
Recovery and Treatment Terms
- Former addict → Person in recovery
“Former addict” still locks a person into their past substance use. “Person in recovery” focuses on their progress and future.
- Opioid substitution therapy → Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
“Substitution therapy” implies that one drug replaces another, which isn’t necessarily the case. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based medical part of recovery, like taking prescription medication for other chronic conditions.
- Rehab → Treatment program
Some associate “rehab” with negative stereotypes or temporary fixes. “Treatment program” reflects a legitimate, structured, and comprehensive recovery process.
Find Recovery Support in Pennsylvania
Recovery starts with understanding, and that includes how people talk about SUD. St. Joseph Institute in Port Matilda offers treatment programs that provide a path to healing while embracing dignity and respect. Flexible services like intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and inpatient treatment provide personalized support for anyone ready to enter recovery.
By swapping outdated language for compassionate, inclusive terms, you can help break stigmas and encourage and humanize people who want to heal. If you’re interested in supporting someone or yourself even further in recovery, check out different rewards for staying substance-free, and remember that no one should feel ashamed of asking for help.
