Avoid Stigmatizing Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
Language matters when it comes to advocating with and for individuals with substance use disorders. Many of the common terms used to describe people with problematic use of drugs and alcohol further add to the stigmatization and discrimination of this community.
Here are some alternative words and phrases to consider:
| Instead of using the term(s)… | Consider using the following term(s)… |
| Addict Abuser Junkie | Person/Someone with addiction Individual in recovery or individual seeking recovery Person with a substance use disorder |
| Clean (e.g. “They have been clean for 10 years,” or “They are finally clean and off drugs.”) | “They have been in recovery for 10 years.” “They are currently in recovery.” |
| “The drug test came back dirty.” | “The drug test came back positive for drugs.” |
| Abuser | Individuals with addiction or a substance use disorder |
| Drug problem Drug habit | Problematic use of drugs and alcohol |
| Reformed addict Reformed alcoholic | Person in recovery |
| Experimental user Recreational user | Person starting to use drugs |
| Substitution therapy Replacement therapy | Medication-Assisted Treatment Medication-Assisted Recovery |