Focus on the Person, Not the Condition
Listen to Stories
The Tennessee Department of Health shares individual stories of substance use disorder at https://www.tn.gov/tnfacesofopioids.html
Use Person-First Language
Words have immense power to wound or heal. Person-first language emphasizes the person, not the disorder, in an attempt to avoid marginalization or subconscious dehumanization (also known as implicit bias).
Person-first language (for example, reference to “a person with substance use disorder”) suggests that the person has a problem that can be addressed. By contrast, calling someone a “drug misuser” implies that the person is the problem.
Practice Self Care
“Emerging evidence has suggested that self-compassion, a self-caring and compassionate attitude…may buffer the negative effects of stigma.” – Wong, Knee, Neighbors, Zvolensky, 2018
Below are list of resources:
- https://self-compassion.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Wong2019.pdf
- https://wwwn.cdc.gov/ResearchGateway/Content/pdfs/R2C_FactSheets/en/R2C_Factsheet_102117_Desai_en.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/dealing-with-stress/index.html
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself
