People thought it was creepy at first, but we give Epi-Pens to people with allergies and devices for people who are hypoglycemic. “All of our patients get an overdose kit on their first day.
Alex Stalcup, medical director of New Leaf Treatment Center in Lafayette, California. First, let’s establish that addiction is a medical problemĪddiction is a medical problem, says Dr. And it’s completely possible for this to eventually lead to addiction. People prescribed pain medications can become dependent on the meds, even when they’re taking them precisely as told by their doctor. And it’s not just street drugs that can cause dependence and addiction. Many people may be dependent on a drug and not realize it. These linguistic shifts may seem awkward at first, but their effect is enormous. It’s OK to feel those things - but it’s not OK to act on them without taking a step back and thinking about your words. Believe me, I know how hard it is: the sleepless nights, the confusion, the fear. Maybe you have a loved one who had or is currently experiencing a substance or alcohol use disorder. The overwhelming pressure we then place on them to get better for us actually debilitates the recovery process. This accusatory tone stigmatizes their use - demonizing it due to stereotypes, belittling the actual brain changes that make it difficult for them to stop. For example, when we say, “Why are you doing this?” we really mean, “Why are you doing this to me?” Many people frame well-intended conversations wrong, too. Old age brings wisdom, right?) I cringe at my actions, realizing that I’d been mistaking my discomfort for wanting to help. (And maybe getting out of your early 20s helps, too. No words can convey how proud I am of them.īut I hadn’t really thought about my language - and others’ - surrounding addiction until now. My friends stopped misusing substances and got the support they needed. Thankfully, a lot has changed since then. I’m done.”Īt the time, I was having a hard time separating my emotions from the situation. “Are you shooting up? How much do you do? Why won’t you return my calls? I want to help you!” This is what a typical conversation looked like: Looking back, I’d been demanding, self-centered, and at times mean. She taught me so much and brought me out of my able-bodied ignorance - teaching me how much words, no matter how seemingly small, can affect someone.īut somehow, even when my friends were going through addiction, empathy didn’t come so easily. Others in our extended friend group overdosed and died.īefore working at Healthline, I worked as a personal care assistant for a woman with disabilities throughout college. Several years ago, many close friends experienced addiction and substance use disorders. In fact, it hadn’t actually crossed mine until recently.
When it comes to addiction, using people-first language doesn’t always cross everyone’s mind.
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