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Substance Use Disorder: Stopping the Stigma

  • katiebaker9
  • 10 hours ago
  • 3 min read

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What is Substance Use Disorder?


Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is an illness, just like heart disease or asthma, and can happen to anyone. One in six Americans report experiencing a SUD.


Someone can develop SUD to many different substances, such as:


SUD is treatable and recovery is possible for everyone. However, some people with a SUD may not receive treatment because of the stigma around drug use.


What is stigma?


You may have heard the phrase, "don't judge a book by its cover." Stigma is when we judge someone else because of how they look, what they do, or what they have done in the past.


Stigma can look like:

  • Someone with SUD refusing to get help because they are scared they will get in trouble with law enforcement.

  • A group of friends making fun of people who use drugs, without knowing that one of their friends has Substance Use Disorder.

  • A healthcare provider saying a drug test came back "dirty," making the patient feel shameful and unclean.


Stigma can make it difficult for people with SUD to be honest with family, friends, and healthcare providers about what they're going through. If we stop the stigma, more people will feel safe to talk about their SUD and can get the help they need.


How can we stop stigma?


Stopping the stigma can help people with SUD get the help they need.


Here are a few ways to help stop the stigma:


  1. Learn about SUD. Learning about SUD can help you have compassion for people experiencing it. Read trustworthy information. Have open and safe conversations with people who have SUD.


  2. Understand that SUD and drug use are complicated issues. There isn't one factor that leads to SUD. People use drugs for all kinds of reasons.


  3. Change how you talk about SUD and drug use. Words have power and how we talk can have huge impacts. Read the chart below to learn how you can help stop the stigma:

Stigmatizing Language

Recommended Language

Why?

Abuse | Drug problem | Dependence

Substance Use Disorder

Substance Use Disorder is judgement-free.

Abuser | Addict | Junkie | Druggie

Person with substance use disorder, person who uses drugs

Putting the person before their experience shows that you care about the person first.

Clean

Substance free, tested negative

"Clean" is associated with dirt, not medical conditions.

Dirty

Testing positive for a substance

"Dirty" can cause shame, and should not be used to describe a medical condition.

Ex-addict | Former addict | Reformed addict

Person in recovery or person in long term recovery

Putting the person before their experience shows that you care about the person first.

There is help available


If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, call or text 988. These hotlines are available 24 hours a day. If someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. 


You can find local treatment options and information by calling the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1-866-789-1511 or by visiting the Salish Behavioral Health website. SAMHSA has a list of opioid treatment programs organized by state.


Join us on Sept. 5


We will be honoring those we have lost to overdose on Sept. 5 at Evergreen Park in Bremerton. Learn more online or click on the image below:


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