“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”
Many of us have probably heard this quotation since childhood, but it doesn’t make it true. In fact, words can hurt quite a bit, and their impact can linger long after we hear them. Words can hurt us when we’re already feeling hurt and vulnerable, such as when we’ve been using alcohol and drugs.
It makes sense, really. Addiction isn’t just a physical disease but a mental one as well. How we feel about ourselves can drive our addictions. If other people say negative things about us, we might internalize those words. If we’re struggling with low self-esteem, we might use even more drugs and alcohol to cope with these feelings.
So, it also makes sense that it’s important to choose our words carefully when it comes to talking about alcohol abuse. We might not want to use certain terms that might hurt people who are already hurting, terms such as
- Junkie
- Crackhead
- Pothead
- Druggie
- Stoner
- Drunk
- Wino
- Boozer
Using certain terms might help combat this negativity. Writing in BMJ.com, Dr. Elizabeth Romer suggests that people use a person-first approach when people talk about drug use. This means that using phrases such as person who uses drugs instead of drug addict or drug user.
This is similar to the suggested language surrounding illnesses. Many people suggest using terms such as person with bipolar disorder or person with AIDS instead of bipolar person or AIDS patient.
The differences between the phrases might not seem too different, but they are. By labeling people as drug abusers, speakers are placing considerable emphasis on their drug use and possibly minimizing other aspects of their character.
But, if people refer to others as people who use drugs, they acknowledge that they’re people first. The people might use drugs, but they’re people first, not people wholly defined by a single aspect of their character.
It’s showing compassion for people with problems, not kicking them when they’re down. They need help, not words that can hurt.
