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Stigma: Language Matters
Presented by:
Ellie Plutto LAC, NCC & Rebecca Tritt LAC, LCADC
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.
"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
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.
"WHY DON'T THEY JUST STOP"
Attributes substance use to stable and controllable factors
"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
Separate the person from the disease.
Addict
Alcoholic
Junkie
Person with a substance use disorder
Person with an alcohol use disorder
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.
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
Separate the person from the disease.
Addict
Junkie
Alcoholic
Person with a substance use disorder
Person with an alcohol use disorder
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.
"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