SAY THIS. NOT THAT.
Person in active addiction
Addict
Person with a substance misuse disorder
Junkie
Person experiencing an alcohol/drug problem
Why it works: these modifiers give identity to individuals as people, rather than labeling them by their illness.
Abuser
Substance misuse disorder
Habit
Alcohol and drug disorder (or disease)
Why it works: TBy incorporating disorder or disease, these terms reinforce the medical nature of the condition
Drug Habit
Person who misuses alcohol/ drugs
User
Has a mental health condition (or diagnosis)
Why it works: conveys the message that an individual's total identity is not his or her illness label, rather, he or she is a full person that happens to have the experience of mental illness.
Crazy/Psycho Insane/Lunatic
Addiction-free
Why it works: Indicates the patient is free from the dangerous compulsive behaviors of addiction. Less stigmatizing than “clean” or “sober” yet shows the person is no longer in active addiction.
Clean
Contact Us
Alabama Department of Mental Health Office of Public Information
publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov
334-242-3417