{"id":394,"date":"2022-02-18T17:26:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T17:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niaaa.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=394"},"modified":"2022-02-18T17:26:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T17:26:46","slug":"words-matter-when-discussing-alcohol-issues-a-new-stigma-free-vocabulary-for-better-aud-outcomes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/niaaa\/394\/words-matter-when-discussing-alcohol-issues-a-new-stigma-free-vocabulary-for-better-aud-outcomes\/","title":{"rendered":"Words Matter When Discussing Alcohol Issues: A New Stigma-Free Vocabulary for Better AUD Outcomes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Word choice may seem out of place among the myriad factors that can influence outcomes for a complex condition like alcohol use disorder (AUD). In fact, the stigma created by the language that is used to describe alcohol problems can decrease many people\u2019s willingness to seek help for alcohol problems. It also can affect how people with AUD are treated in all aspects of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cStigmas are the negative attitudes toward people that are based on certain distinguishing characteristics,\u201d says National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Director George F. Koob, Ph.D. \u201cMore than a decade of research has shown that stigma contributes significantly to negative health outcomes and can pose a barrier to seeking treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the United States, nearly 90 percent of people with substance use disorders and 35 percent of people with serious mental illness do not receive treatment. In a recent article published in\u00a0Neuropsychopharmacology<\/em><\/a>, National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D.; National Institute of Mental Health Director Joshua Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.; and Dr. Koob discuss how people with a mental illness or substance use disorder who experience stigma may begin to internalize it, leading to lower self-esteem, decreased interest in seeking help, and worsening of their symptoms. The researchers also point to\u00a0evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians<\/a>\u00a0can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care, including failure to implement proven methods of treatment. Studies have shown that using scientifically accurate language and terms that centralize the experience of patients with mental illness and substance use disorders is one key component to reducing stigma. Such efforts can improve how people with these conditions are treated in healthcare settings as well as throughout society.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough more\u00a0evidence-based treatment options for AUD<\/a>\u00a0are available today than ever before, stigma is a factor that prevents some people from reaching out for help and from being treated with dignity,\u201d says Dr. Koob. \u201cUnderstanding that AUD is a medical condition and choosing our words carefully when discussing alcohol-related problems are important steps toward changing the conversation and reducing stigma around AUD.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Koob explains that we can help alleviate the stigma associated with alcohol-related conditions by consistently using non-pejorative, non-stigmatizing, person-first language to describe these conditions and the people who are affected by them. Some words that are commonly used in society, such as \u201calcoholic\u201d and \u201calcohol abuse,\u201d can be stigmatizing.<\/p>\n

Some Recommended Language for Reducing Alcohol-Related Stigma<\/h2>\n

When discussing alcohol-related issues, use these terms to help reduce stigma:<\/p>\n