Conversations about substance use disorder are critical. Additionally, the words you use when talking about alcohol or drugs shape perceptions. Before you speak about addiction, think about what you are going to say and the message your words convey.
Whenever the words “substance abuse” or “substance abuser” are used, a negative connotation is attached to those with a substance use disorder (SUD). You would not call someone with an eating disorder a food abuser. The words you use frame the conversation.
Addiction as an Illness
Addiction is not limited to age, gender, or ethnicity, which means anyone can become dependent on a substance. Any stereotypes or ingrained beliefs about who can or cannot have SUD are limiting.
Regardless of your substance of choice, you can have a SUD. While addiction is complicated like many chronic illnesses, a SUD is treatable. Substance addiction treatment that combines multiple types of therapy—like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and meditation—can effectively guide you through your treatment. Aftercare is just as important as active treatment. You can maintain your well-being through proper nutrition, therapy, and support from friends and loved ones.
Conversations in Therapy
Therapy is a vital part of healing your body and mind. Take advantage of individual, group, and family therapy while you are in a substance addiction program. Engaging in therapy sessions aids you in understanding your SUD and can initiate conversations with your family.
During the time spent in constructive conversations with a therapist, you learn how to change the undertone of any discussion by simply using better words. In therapy, you can discover how to set boundaries in the words you or others use. You have the right to let others know how you want them to describe you or your SUD. If you do not know which words are beneficial, talk with your therapist, support group, or an individual in recovery. They can help you find terms that are empowering and not demeaning.
Maybe you are a family member or a friend of someone with a SUD. Knowing how to talk about it can be challenging. You want to show support, but you may not know what you can say or do to show that you stand by your loved one. Talking to your loved one about their SUD should include first-person language because it focuses on them, not their SUD. Similarly, if you are unsure how to talk about addiction, think of SUD as something that does not define a person. For example, a person is not bipolar; instead, they have bipolar disorder.
Are you still uncertain how to approach a conversation about a SUD? There are resources available to help.
Attend groups designed to discuss and educate loved ones about SUDs, how to talk to a loved one, or increase your understanding of SUDs.
An essential part of any discussion is asking positive questions and opening yourself up to an honest discussion of feelings and thoughts.
When talking about substance addiction treatment and recovery, consider the following:
The terms substance use disorder, alcohol disorder, or drug disorder remove the stigma that substance use is a choice. Words like habit imply that you or a loved one chose to use alcohol or drugs or decided to stop. Addiction affects the brain and the body, creating a chemical dependence. Over time, the continued use of substances alters the brain and behavior.
Remove the word abuse from your vocabulary. Instead, use illicit substances or misuse when referring to prescription medications used for reasons other than prescribed.
Discussions of Treatment or Recovery
Substance use stigmas are decreasing as people understand SUDs and their effects. To facilitate further compassionate discussions, phrases from the past will change.
The SUD treatment community is phasing out terms like:
Opioid substation
Replacement therapy
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
The difficulty in using these words or phrases lies in the perception of the terms. When you are in a detoxification (detox) program, your doctor is not substituting or replacing one addiction or drug with another. The phrase MAT implies the medicine you receive in detox is temporary. Medical providers use medication because it is a vital component in substance addiction treatment.
Terminology like “clean” can imply several things. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) refers to “clean” as cleaning your house. For example, spring cleaning includes getting into the hidden or dark areas in the home. In AA, “clean” refers to the fifth step.
Some may interpret the term “clean” as negative. Think about what clean means. You may think being clean means your body is free of alcohol or drugs. However, clean can stigmatize those with a SUD if a person thinks of someone struggling with a SUD as dirty.
While some still use the term “clean,” the preferred way to express maintaining recovery is to use medical expressions like:
Abstinent from substances
Being in recovery
Not taking drugs or drinking
Negative test results (when referring to an alcohol or drug screen test)
You can change the conversation when discussing a substance use disorder. Reducing harmful words that stigmatize alcohol or drug use can increase the awareness of how substances affect people. In addition, you or a loved one can discover how to hold a constructive conversation. As a person with a SUD, you have the right to set the tone of any exchange by expressing the words you prefer. You don't have to explain your preferred terms unless you want to engage in a conversation about the importance of words. However, through therapy—individual, group, or family—the course of your relationships can change. A platform for open, honest communication is created by releasing thoughts or feelings. Monte Cristo Recovery believes you can free your body and mind from the effects of substances. Our comfortable location in Southern California is ideal for freeing yourself from restrictive words that stigmatize your SUD. Call us today at (714) 824-9896.