The stigma of substance misuse and mental health goes far beyond what we say. It results in withholding assistance, job loss, the denial of housing, social avoidance, and much, much more. So why are we offering yet another article about the importance of how we word things? Because awareness of and battling against the stigma begins with how we speak. Our words matter.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Remember that saying from when we were young? It was something our parents often said to us.