Using person first language helps to decrease the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health. In my research I found a moderate number of people did not get recovery care because they do not want to be stigmatized or labeled. So, please do not be part of the reason that someone does not get help. A person is not their disease. You would not call someone with another disease by their disease name.
Even when you talk about yourself or others please stop using terms like junkie, addict or alcoholic it is stigmatizing. Using terms like person with substance use disorder, person with alcohol use disorder and so on. It may be a mouthful to change your vernacular but what if your word choice can change the way others treat people struggling with addiction issues?
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