Stigmatizing language

Effect	Examples of stigmatized language
Implies the patient is to blame for their medical condition Labels patients based on a condition Implies judgment	Addict Alcohol or substance abuser Alcoholic Injection drug user Alcohol or substance abuse Dirty urine Abuses alcohol or drugs
Qualities of preferred language	Examples of preferred language
Patient-first language that does not label patients based on their medical condition(s)	Patient with alcohol use disorder Patient who uses cocaine Patient who drinks at a risky level
Nonpejorative language	Risky or hazardous use Urine result indicating fentanyl (rather than a positive or dirty urine)
Use medical terms and be appropriate and specific	Mild, moderate, or severe alcohol, cannabis, opioid, or cocaine use disorders Polysubstance use (rather than having a substance use disorder if a substance use disorder has not been diagnosed)

References:

Kelly JF, Saitz R, Wakeman S. Language, substance use disorders, and policy: The need to reach consensus on an "addiction-ary." Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 2016; 34:116.
Kelly JF, Wakeman SE, Saitz R. Stop talking "dirty": Clinicians, language, and quality of care for the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Am J Med 2015;128:8.
Stigma: Overcoming a pervasive barrier to optimal care. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/health-professionals-communities/core-resource-on-alcohol/stigma-overcoming-pervasive-barrier-optimal-care (Accessed on March 28, 2025).

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