The language that members of the media use in their reporting plays a significant role in reducing stigma surrounding addiction and overcoming this critical barrier to treatment.
Stigma
Words Matter
A guide from the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Department of Behavioral Health Care, Developmental Disabilities and Healthcare, and Department of Health.
Language Matters to the American Medical Association
The words we use to describe someone can influence attitudes, beliefs, and behavior toward them, including the care decisions physicians make.
Myths and Misconceptions: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
The Role of Shame in Opioid Use Disorders
Stigma, Drugs, and Policy: How Language Drives Change
Webinar Description: Language matters when it comes to treating substance use disorders (SUD). Stigma has been proven to have a negative impact on health outcomes, not only leading many individuals with SUD to not seek treatment, but also influencing how health professionals treat their patients. Using non-stigmatizing, person-centered, and recovery-oriented language can help providers facilitate engagement in treatment for individuals with SUD. This webinar will explore the ever-evolving landscape of language around SUD and discuss strategies for healthcare providers and allied health professionals to address stigma within your practice.