As a scientist and addiction professional, I was both encouraged and disappointed when I read Samantha Hendrickson’s thoughtful article on the financial consequences of addiction.
Encouraged because this is one of many recent articles addressing — with compassion — addiction. Disappointed in the use of outdated and harmful labels in the headline. Words like “junkie” and “druggie” obviously display judgment, but even terms like “substance abuse disorder” and “addict” foment negative cultural attitudes toward addiction. Just as we no longer use hurtful words like “insane asylum” or "crazy" related to mental health issues, we should be mindful of the words we use to describe a person with substance use disorder [SUD] (the preferred language according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy). It can be difficult to keep up with cultural shifts and the corresponding appropriate vocabulary, but we should make an effort to use language that acknowledges SUD as a medical condition rather than a choice or a moral failure.
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Martha Ackerman-Berrier
West side
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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