Transcript Language of Stigma - Harm Reduction Coalition

Roxanne Baker, CMA
National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery


Demeaning language can be a form of selfdisrespect to one’s self.
It is important for patients to learn to use the
right language to respect oneself and the
medication that saved their life.
Wrong
Right
METH or Done
Methamphetamine
too lazy to say/write Methadone
Client
Patient
Detox
Taper
Dirty/Clean
Negative or Positive
Substitution Therapy
MAT or Medical Treatment
Drug
Medication



When professionals use the wrong words it is
like speaking down to a patient, and treating
them like a child.
Interferes with the patients Recovery, which is
not always total Abstinence.
Just as individual as we are. No High Dose, No
Low Dose, Only RIGHT Dose!
F-atal
F-amilarize
E-motional
E-ducate
A-nxiety
A-dvocate
R-elapse
R-espect
Fear is instilled in about 80% of patients everywhere
because they feel unsure of themselves and what is
expected of them.



Methadone is confusing with many regulations
and very often the confusion of staff is passed on
unconsciously to the patient.
Sometimes it happens because of ignorance staff
believe that what they were told is a Regulation.
Using the Regulations to resolve an issue leaves
no room for discussion or a meeting of the
minds which is what treatment should be about.


Educated patients understand their treatment
and therefore become more self assured and
accepting of their Recovery.
Patients become capable educators passing
on knowledge to others who are ignorant and
helping to stamp out Stigma!
The Patient is Always Most Important Person!