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Language Matters: It Is Time We Change How We Talk About Addiction and its Treatment.
Aleksandra E Zgierska1, Michael M Miller, David P Rabago
1Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, PA (AEZ), Past President, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Past Director, American Board of Addiction Medicine, Past Director, American College of Academic Addiction Medicine, Clinical Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (MMM), Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, PA (DPR), Director, Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI (FH), Chief Executive Officer, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Washington, DC (PM), Founder and CEO, American Chronic Pain Association, CA (PC), Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York City (EAS).
Using non-stigmatizing language is crucial for addiction care. Shifting to person-first language reduces stigma, improves communication, and enhances patient engagement in addiction treatment.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Medical Communication
- Public Health
Background:
- Communication surrounding addiction significantly impacts individuals, families, and communities.
- Stigmatizing language exacerbates addiction-related stigma and negatively affects outcomes.
- Current communication often perpetuates outdated views of addiction as a moral failing rather than a chronic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of language in addiction care.
- To advocate for the adoption of non-stigmatizing, medically-based terminology.
- To promote person-first language to destigmatize addiction and improve patient engagement.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current terminology used in addiction discourse.
- Identification of stigmatizing language and provision of recommended alternatives.
- Emphasis on the role of healthcare professionals, educators, and leaders in promoting change.
Main Results:
- Non-stigmatizing language, particularly person-first language, fosters better communication.
- Adopting person-first language (e.g., "person with addiction") shifts focus from disease to individual.
- Linguistic changes promote therapeutic relationships, reduce stigma, and address health disparities.
Conclusions:
- Intentional use of therapeutic language is essential for destigmatizing addiction.
- Person-first language acknowledges the multifaceted nature of an individual's life beyond their disease.
- Adopting recommended terminology can improve access to and engagement with addiction care.
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