Stigma is an attribute, behavior, or condition that is socially discrediting.

There are two types of stigma:

• Public
• Personal (internalization of public stigma)

1. Labeling (drug abuser, junkie, addict)
2. Negative stereotypes (addicts are dangerous)
3. Othering (addicts are not normal people)
4. Unequal health and social outcomes (high rates of HIV, incarceration, unemployed)
5. Poor access to economic or political power (frequently denied employment based on their history)

Two factors influence stigma:

• Cause
  • “It’s not their fault.” (stigma decreases)
  • “It is their fault.” (stigma increases)
• Controllability
  • “They can’t help it.” (stigma decreases)
  • “They really can help it.” (stigma increases)

• Education about the nature of these conditions
• Personal witness (putting a face and voice on recovery)
• Change our language/terminology to be consistent with the nature of the condition and the policies we wish to implement to address it

Words to Avoid

• Addict, junkie, alcoholic
• Drug problem, drug habbit
• Drug abuse
• Clean/Dirty
• Clean/Dirty drug screen
• Former/reformed addict/alcoholic
• Opioid replacement, methadone maintenance

Words to Use

• Person with substance/alcohol use disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Drug misuse, harmful use
• Abstinent, not actively using/Actively using
• Negative/Positive for substance use
• Person in recovery, person in long-term recovery
• Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

You can reduce stigma, and help save lives, just by changing your language.

• More on reducing stigma: www.shatterproof.org
• More on harm reduction: www.harmreduction.org
• More on the evidence for MOUD: www.ncchc.org/medications-for-opioid-use-disorder-save-lives