The Importance of Person-First Language – Words Matter
Substance misuse, abuse and use disorders (SUDs) and other addictions like gambling are chronic medical conditions, but the general public associate people with addiction/SUDs with poor choices and moral failings. As a result, many people who suffer from addiction are not treated the same way as people with a chronic physical health condition. This paper looks at this issue across the continuum of care and proposes person-first language designed to help people by de-stigmatizing addiction/SUD care and related issues.
