Supporting Anti-Stigma Language
Understanding Stigma
One big problem in helping people with addiction and overdose is stigma. The word “stigma” comes from old Latin and Greek, where it meant a mark or burn put on someone to show shame. Today, stigma means treating people unfairly by labeling, judging, or leaving them out. For example, it can happen when people use hurtful words to talk about addiction, those who struggle with it, or the ways it’s treated.
Additional Resources
- StopOverdose.org
- Blue Mountain Heart to Heart
- Overdose Prevention CDC
- Washington Recovery Help Line (warecoveryhelpline.org)
- Learn About Treatment
- Home | PreventEd
- Find Help and Treatment | SAMHSA
- Washington 2-1-1
- Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution | Washington State Department of Health
- Opioid and Drug Use Data | Washington State Department of Health
- Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: The Best Strategy | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)
- WTFentanyl — Correcting Fentanyl Misinformation
- Drug checking results in Washington (uw.edu)
- Blue Mountain Heart to Heart
- Washington Poison Center – Always here, Always Ready. From the emergency room to the living room.
- University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Use Institute
- Safe Medication Return
- Dancesafe: Promoting Health & Safety Within Music and Nightlife Communities
Using Compassionate Language
Examples of anti-stigma language from Johns Hopkins
| Substance abuse/drug abuse | Substance use disorder |
| Drug habit | Addiction |
|
Abuser Substance AbuserDrug Abuser Addict Alcoholic Drunk Junkie User |
Person with a substance use disorder |
| Addicted Baby | Babies exposed to opiods |
| Problem | Risky, unhealthy or heavy use |
| Clean (person) | In recovery |
| Clean (or dirty) toxicology results | Negative (or positive) toxicology results |
|
Substitution therapy Replacement therapy Medication-assisted treatment |
Medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder |