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Transcript

Stigma: Language Matters

Presented by:

Ellie Plutto LAC, NCC & Rebecca Tritt LAC, LCADC

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

"Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words can nev...

Focusing on the subtle meaning of words

--rejecting some while embracing others--

is far more than a matter of shallow political correctness.

It is about changing the language that affects social policies and is in turn affected by those policies.

Changing language is a way to personally and culturally close one chapter in history and open another.

It is about changing the way individuals with substance use disorders see themselves and are seen by others.

Alfred Lindesmith

one of the first people to point out that the American public is especially misinformed on the subject of substance use disorders.

"Dope Fiend Mythology"

"A body of superstition, half-truths and misinformation that claims narcotic drug use causes moral degeneracy and violent crime and that drug “pushers” and drug users have a voracious appetite for infecting non-users."

Substance Use Disorders and Public Perception

The choice of language and terminology used is particularly important when it comes to substance use related problems because whether we are aware of it or not, the use of certain terms can perpetuate stigmatizing attitudes that influence the effectiveness of our social and public health policies for addressing them.

Words and phrases tacitly trigger networks of cognitive scripts that activate a serial chain of connected thoughts (“schema”) that, ultimately, can cue specific action patterns.

LANGUAGE

THOUGHTS

ACTIONS

What If .......

Respectful

Intellectual

You found out that this doctor had a diagnosed substance use disorder

Trustworthy

Empathetic

Professional

Strong Work Ethic

Humane

Promotes a healthy lifestyle

Would you describe this doctor any different ?

Conscientious

Confident

Does it Matter How We Refer to Individuals with Substance Use Disorders

Those receiving the “abuser” paragraph were significantly more likely:

To agree that Mr. Williams was more in need of punishment opposed to treatment.

To blame Mr. Williams for his condition and failure to comply with the treatment protocol.

Controllable

"WHY DON'T THEY JUST STOP"

Attributes substance use to stable and controllable factors

Blame

"IT'S THEIR OWN FAULT"

Bringing the problem upon themselves

Can't help it

EXTENT OF STIGMA

Controllability

Can help it

Not their fault

It's their own fault

Cause

= 1 million individuals with a SUD

Next to cost, STIGMA is the second largest barrier for individuals considering treatment.

Only 11.2% of individuals struggling with a substance use disorder in the U.S will recieve treatment.

Stigma

Treatment

Cost

Only 11.2% of individuals struggling with a substance u...

Individuals who reported seeking treatment as well as those who did not, strongly endorsed feelings of

A study conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that of the 2.3 million people incarcerated in the United States, more than 65% of them met the criteria for a substance use disorder, yet only 11% of those people received treatment.

Fear of Public Perceptions

Embarrassment

Shame

As prevalent barriers to treatment seeking.

Lowered Self Esteem

Harmful Feelings of Shame

"Why Try" Effect

why should a person try to live and work independently if he or she is not valued

Decreased Self-Efficacy

Changing the language helps to change the conversation

END stigma

CHANGE lives

What do all these people have in common?

THEY'RE

PEOPLE

Person First Language

Separate the person from the disease.

Addict

Alcoholic

Junkie

Person with a substance use disorder

Person with an alcohol use disorder

The use of language that reflects the medical nature of substance use disorders and treatment.

A variety of common terms such as “abuser” and “lapse” and “habit” perpetuate stigmatizing notions that addiction is a failure of morals, personality and willpower.

The Avoidance of Slangs and Idioms

Slangs and idioms are used by individuals, families, the health care/treatment community, and the general public as verbal shorthand’s that are rich in metaphor and symbolism.

Although this figurative language can be illustrative and evocative, the pictures painted can contribute to stigma because of their unintentional judgment or pejorative tone.

Changing the language helps to change the conversation

END stigma

CHANGE lives

What do all these people have in common?

THEY'RE

PEOPLE

Person First Language

Separate the person from the disease.

Addict

Junkie

Alcoholic

Person with a substance use disorder

Person with an alcohol use disorder

The use of language that reflects the medical nature of substance use disorders and treatment.

A variety of common terms such as “abuser” and “lapse” and “habit” perpetuate stigmatizing notions that addiction is a failure of morals, personality and willpower.

The Avoidance of Slangs and Idioms

"Clean"

"Dirty"

Slangs and idioms are used by individuals, families, the health care/treatment community, and the general public as verbal shorthand’s that are rich in metaphor and symbolism.

Although this figurative language can be illustrative and evocative, the pictures painted can contribute to stigma because of their unintentional judgment or pejorative tone.

"Dope Fiend"

"Burn Out"

"Drunk"

"Crack Head"

"If you have some respect for

people as they are, you can be

more effective in helping them

to become who they want to be"

John W. Gardner

Changing the language helps to change the conversation

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