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).

Summary

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.

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