Language Matters: How to Talk About Substance Use Without Stigma
October is Substance Use Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and promote healthier communities. One of the most powerful tools we have in prevention and recovery is something we use every day—our words. The way we talk about substance use can either build barriers or open doors to healing.
At The Up Center, we know that language matters. Our Substance Use Program and dedicated Peer Recovery Specialists help individuals and families find hope, healing, and support. By choosing respectful, person-first language, we can reduce stigma and remind people that recovery is possible.
Why Language Matters
Words shape how people see themselves and how they are seen by others. Stigmatizing language—like calling someone an “addict” or “abuser”—can cause shame, discourage people from seeking help, and even affect the quality of care they receive.
Instead, person-first language emphasizes the individual, not the condition. For example, saying “a person living with a substance use disorder” highlights that someone is more than their struggles. This simple shift can foster dignity, compassion, and connection.
Words to Use and Words to Avoid
| Avoid Saying | Use Instead | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Addict, Junkie, Alcoholic | Person with a substance use disorder | Focuses on the person, not a label. |
| Abuse, Abuser | Substance use, person misusing substances | “Abuse” carries blame and judgment. |
| Clean | In recovery, testing negative for substances | Suggests people are “dirty” otherwise. |
| Relapse | Return to use | Recognizes recovery as a journey, not failure. |
| Habit | Substance use disorder | “Habit” minimizes the seriousness of the condition. |
| Replacement therapy | Medication for substance use disorder | Shows treatment is valid and evidence-based. |
For more guidance, visit resources like NIDA’s Words Matter guide, OASAS Stigma Glossary, and Partnership to End Addiction’s article on words that matter.
Peer Recovery at The Up Center
Behind every story of recovery is a community of support. At The Up Center, our Peer Recovery Specialists are individuals who have lived experience with substance use and recovery. They walk alongside clients, offering understanding, encouragement, and real-life strategies for building healthier futures.
By highlighting their voices during Substance Use Prevention Month, we honor the power of lived experience and remind our community that recovery is not only possible—it’s happening every day.
How You Can Help
- Choose respectful, person-first language.
- Share resources like The Up Center’s Substance Use Program.
- Support people in recovery by listening without judgment.
- Encourage loved ones to seek help early.
Substance use prevention begins with compassion, and compassion begins with words. This month, let’s commit to talking about substance use in ways that reduce stigma, inspire hope, and build stronger communities.
At The Up Center, we believe in supporting youth, strengthening families, and uplifting our community—one word, one conversation, and one life at a time.
