The language we use related to alcohol and drug use
disorders is often stigmatizing and misguided. Alltyr’s mission is to transform
addiction treatment in America. Changing language is a necessary step in that process.
Here’s is Alltyr’s guide to addiction language for the 21st
Century.
Instead of saying:
|
Say:
|
alcoholic
|
person with an alcohol use
disorder (AUD)
|
addict
|
person with a substance use
disorder (SUD)
|
alcohol /drug abuse
|
risky use, heavy drinking, risky
drinking
|
sober
|
abstaining, in remission
|
betrayer, liar, cheat, thief,
selfish
|
addicted person, sick, ill
|
enabler
|
loved one
|
enabling
|
unhelpful or unskillful behavior
|
tough love
|
self-care, setting reasonable limits
and expectations
|
unmotivated, denial
|
ambivalent about change, non-adherent, not yet able to overcome
barriers to change, demoralized
|
dry drunk
|
irritable, moody, troubled,
erratic, struggling
|
slip, lapse, relapse
|
use episode, recurrence, set-back
|
recovery (abstinence + spiritual
growth)
|
remission (absence of illness
once present)
|
relapse
|
recurrence, set-back
|
relapse prevention
|
recovery skills training
|
treatment program
|
rehab
|
Treatment (meaning rehab)
|
treatment (includes all levels of care)
|
MAT (medication assisted
treatment)
|
treatment, pharmacotherapy,
anti-relapse meds
|
compliance
|
adherence
|
non-compliant
|
non-adherent
|
harm reduction
|
treatment, chronic care management, partial response
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Want to learn more about The Alltyr Model of Care™? Visit our website: www.alltyr.com
