Muse Treatment: Preferred Language Within Addiction Recovery: How Addicts Like to be Treated

Words have power—a lot of it. The language we use daily shapes our understanding of the world and impacts how we treat others. This concept is especially true when it comes to addiction recovery, as the shame spiral that accompanies substance abuse is a key component of the cyclical nature of the disorder. The right words can uplift a person, but the wrong ones can further stigmatize them and make treatment access harder. Individuals who prioritize preferred language within addiction recovery encourage compassion and help break stigmas, which are negative attitudes and beliefs that society attaches to certain behaviors.

A study highlighted by Johns Hopkins Medicine states that the stigma associated with recovery is “persistent, pervasive, and rooted in the belief that addiction is a personal choice reflecting a lack of willpower and a moral failing.” This study also indicates that using “person-first language” is a key component of stigma reduction. Let’s look at what this term means, why it’s important, and examples to help reduce the negative perception around recovery and staying sober.

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What Is Person-First Language In Recovery?

For the vast majority of people, the preferred language within addiction recovery is the use of person-first word choices. This is when a speaker or writer emphasizes the individual over the circumstances they find themselves in. For example, “a person in recovery” or “someone with substance use disorder” are two preferred terms over “addict.”

Words like “addict” or “junkie” and more can all have a deeply stigmatizing effect on people in recovery as these terms reduce them to stereotypes with a lot of negative connotations. In reality, anybody can develop substance use disorder, and taking away an individual’s personhood by focusing first on their struggle is often dehumanizing.

On the other hand, person-first language can respectfully acknowledge a person’s situation without defining them by it. Healthcare providers in the recovery space generally tend to use this preferred language in treatment because it reinforces to patients that they are more than their addiction and fits within the modern definition of substance use disorder as a medical condition. Using this frame of mind, addiction loses its reputation for being a moral failing and becomes what it is—a treatable condition that can be overcome by learning coping skills for people in recovery.

This slight shift in language can significantly impact treatment. It cultivates a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where individuals can break the shame spiral and change their habits for good.

Why Is It Important to Use Language Like Substance Misuse Instead of Drug Abuse?

Not only is person-first language crucial for uplifting individuals with substance misuse patterns and reminding them of their personhood separate from their struggle, but it also shapes how society views these people as a whole.

Terms like “druggie” or “drug abusers” carry harsh biases that can cloud the public’s perception of a person and paint a picture of intended wrongdoing or criminal activity. Since shame is a crucial component of the cycle that keeps addiction going, this stereotype discourages individuals from seeking treatment for their condition for fear of judgment. In some cases, this societal perspective can shape how these people are treated by others, leading to discrimination. Stigma is powerful, and a negative one can devastate one’s reputation.

Taking the abuse angle out of the equation and focusing on the misuse reframes the condition. There’s no reason to feel shameful or discouraged about seeking treatment for a medical condition, so patients are more likely to be successful with their recovery journey when this point of view is maintained throughout the process. A study found in The Harm Reduction Journal shows that people on the receiving end of stigmatizing language from healthcare professionals are less likely to continue treatment.

Additionally, using preferred language within addiction recovery spaces has a ripple effect that can change how the public views individuals struggling with substance use and curb the amount of discrimination these people face when trying to access care.

Which Is a Good Example of a Person-First Language?

The first step towards breaking harmful stigmas is learning the importance of person-first language; the next is learning how to use it correctly. A prime example of how to use preferred language in addiction recovery is to switch from “addict” to “a person with substance use disorder.” In this particular example, “a person” comes before the condition, or in this case, “substance use disorder.”

Our brains tend to emphasize that which comes first in a clause or sentence, so shifting the object to the forefront prioritizes that we’re talking about a person, bringing compassion and humanity back into the conversation. Information found at the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests using the following additional examples and other compassionate language swaps:

drug abuse → drug misuse
drug user → an individual misusing substances
former addict → person in recovery
methadone user → patient receiving methadone treatment
they relapsed → they’re experiencing a recurrence of use
they failed rehab → they experienced a setback in their ongoing treatment

These small shifts refocus on the person, not their substance use. They put the conversation firmly in the here and now, paying more attention to the state they’re currently in, not the one they just left or are transitioning out of. Making more conscious word choices prioritizing dignity and respect can help create more inclusive spaces for supportive recovery and sober living in Los Angeles.

person-first language within addiction recovery

Why Is Person-First Language Preferred?

Person-first word choices form the backbone of the preferred language within addiction recovery because they foster dignity and respect by putting the person before their condition. By taking this approach in both treatment spaces and everyday life, people can reinforce the narrative that a person is not defined by their substance use disorder but is, first and foremost, a human being who deserves respect, just as any other person is.

Person-first language also enhances treatment engagement for many patients. Individuals are more willing to be open and honest about the nature of their misuse and its causes (a critical component of successful outcomes) if they see it through a lens of gentle compassion rather than stigmatizing shame.

Additionally, changing the perspective on addiction from that of being a moral failing to a treatable condition changes how society perceives these people as a whole, which dramatically decreases the amount of discrimination people in recovery face.

Overall, emphasizing the person first, not their substance use, creates a more compassionate world, both within the treatment center walls and without, giving individuals a better chance at long-lasting recovery.

Find Compassionate Care at Muse Treatment Centers

Finding a treatment center that understands the preferred language within addiction recovery and utilizes person-first word choices isn’t normally at the top of someone’s checklist when searching for rehab programs, but it should be. Knowing your care team has compassion for your struggle is critical to breaking stigmas and helping those on the road to recovery shatter the shame spiral that keeps them locked in their current patterns.

At Muse Treatment, we lead with care. Our patients can focus on taking back control of their lives in a setting that prioritizes their personhood and encourages self-discovery without shame. Located near Los Angeles, California, our addiction treatment facility boasts comfortable living quarters with smart TVs, hot lunches and dinners, regularly restocked on-site snacks, and other creature comforts that remind patients that they’re people first and are not defined by their addiction.

If you or a loved one is ready for treatment and seeking a rehab center in Los Angeles that cares, call 800-426-1818 today to learn how our compassionate team can help.