Language Matters
Volusia Recovery Alliance »Reducing Stigma In The Recovery Community
When discussing addiction…
Let's Say...
Substance Use Disorder
Person with substance use disorder Has a drug or alcohol dependence
Person in recovery/in remission
Has an addiction/dependence
Not engaged
Medication is a treatment
Return To Use
Positive urine drug screen / drug test
Treatment/Intervention
Intoxicated
Distressed, agitated
Person disagrees
Resourceful
Recovery residences
Instead of...
Substance abuse/drug habit
Addict, junkie, druggie, alky, alcoholic
Ex-addict, abstinent, clean, sober, used to be addicted
Suffering from an addiction. battling booze
Non-compliant
Medication is just another addiction
Using again, fell over off the wagon
Dirty urine/dirty drug test
Rehab
Drunk, pissed, stoned, out of it. wasted
Crazy, off his/her rocker, lost it, acting out
Denial
Manipulated
Sober homes
