Another language guide???

We’re really pleased to be launching our first report on stigma and language.  

There are some great language guides around and we try to support them all so that people can find a range of resources that work for them

We hope this one will be a useful guide for organisations that are less familiar with the drug and alcohol treatment sector’s terminology. We’re very keen to engage a wide range of organisations in addressing stigma, especially organisations from sectors that don’t have daily contact through their work with people who use or have used substances. Whether you work in retail, hospitality, manufacturing or farming and financial services there will be something relevant in this report.

Use of language sets the tone for how we treat people in society and how we expect to be treated. It’s important to be mindful of what we say about others, and ourselves, and what our words imply. But also, to avoid policing language to the extent that we hinder open discussion about substance use. We shouldn’t be embarrassed or defensive if we think we might have said the wrong thing, because stigma is so culturally embedded, and everyday language has become so loaded with that baggage, it’s easy to do. We need to remember as a society we’re relatively new to working out how to talk about drug and alcohol use in a way that doesn’t shame, blame or discredit people.

This is latest report on language but won’t be our last, so please do let us know what you think and as language evolves, and our consciousness expands, we’ll keep reviewing and updating.

And finally, thanks to all the network members that contributed.

You can also download the guide here.