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Stigma: how it affects the substance use disorder patient
Janet Zwick1, Hannah Appleseth2, Stephan Arndt3
1Editor Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention and Policy, UCS Healthcare, 4908 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA.
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
|July 29, 2020
Summary
Words significantly impact stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Adopting destigmatized language in daily conversations is crucial for fostering a more accepting society and improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Public Health
- Linguistics
Background:
- Stigma associated with substance use disorders negatively impacts treatment, healthcare, policy, and societal integration.
- Language plays a critical role in perpetuating or reducing stigma, reflecting societal values and beliefs.
- Current language used in addiction care is outdated and contributes to barriers for individuals seeking recovery.
Discussion:
- This article examines how specific word choices cultivate and sustain stigma against individuals with substance use disorders.
- The impact of stigmatizing language creates significant obstacles in healthcare, employment, insurance, and legal systems.
- Evolving language is essential for improving substance use disorder treatment, policies, and research.
Key Insights:
- Language is a powerful tool that can either promote or diminish stigma surrounding substance use.
- Destigmatizing language is a fundamental, bottom-up approach to creating a more inclusive society.
- Normalizing person-first and non-judgmental language is vital for supporting individuals in recovery.
Outlook:
- Continued research into the linguistic aspects of addiction stigma is needed.
- Promoting the adoption of destigmatized language in public discourse and professional settings is recommended.
- Policy and treatment protocols should be updated to reflect evolving, evidence-based language practices.
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