Terminology

Current Terminology Alternative Terminology
Treatment is the goal;
Treatment is the only way into Recovery		 Treatment is an opportunity for initiation into recovery
(one of multiple pathways into recovery)
Substance Abuse Substance Use Disorder/Substance Misuse
Drug of Choice/Abuse Drug of Use
Denial Ambivalence
Relapse Prevention Recovery Management
Pathology Based Assessment Strength/Asset Based Assessment
Focus is on total abstinence from all illicit and non-prescribed substances the clinician identifies Focus on the drug client feels is creating the problems
A Drug is a Drug is a Drug Each illicit substance has unique interactions with the brain;
medication if available is appropriate.
Relapse Recurrence/Return to Use
Relapse is Part of Recovery Recurrence/Return to Use may occur as part of the disease
Clean/Sober Drug Free/Free from illicit and non-prescribed medications
Self Help Group Mutual Aid Group
Untreated Addict/Alcoholic Individual not yet in Recovery
Drug Overdose Drug Poisoning

How to Refer to People

The most respectful way of referring to people is as people. Please review some examples below

  • Instead of saying “Clients/Patients/Consumer”,
    • Say:
      The people in our program
      The folks we work with
      The people we serve
    • Reasoning: More inclusive, less stigmatizing
  • Instead of saying “Alex is an addict“,
    • Say:
      Alex is addicted to alcohol
      Alex is a person with a substance use disorder
      Alex is in recovery from drug addiction
    • Reasoning: Put the person first and avoid defining the person by their disease.

The terms listed below, along with others, are often people’s ineffective attempts to reclaim some shred of power while being treated in a system that often tries to control them. The person is trying to get their needs met, or has a perception different from the staff, or has an opinion of self not shared by others. And these efforts are not effectively bringing them to the result they want.

  • Instead of saying “Mathew is manipulative”
    • Say:
      Mathew is trying really hard to get his needs met
      Mathew may need to work on more effective ways of getting his needs met
    • Reasoning: Take the blame out of the statement and recognize that the person is trying to get a need met the best way they know how.
  • Instead of saying “Kyle is non-compliant”
    • Say:
      Kyle is choosing not to…
      Kyle would rather…
      Kyle is looking for other options
    • Reasoning: Describe what it looks like uniquely to that individual – that information is more useful than a generalization.
  • Instead of saying “Mary is resistant to treatment”
    • Say:
      Mary chooses not to…
      Mary prefers not to…
      Mary is unsure about…
    • Reasoning: Avoid defining the person by the behavior and remove the blame from the statement.
  • Instead of saying “Jennifer is in denial”
    • Say:
      Jennifer is ambivalent about…
      Jennifer hasn’t internalized the seriousness of…
      Jennifer doesn’t understand…
    • Reasoning: Remove the blame and the stigma from the statement.