Last month I came across a thread on Facebook about unhelpful recovery terms. This thread mentioned that using certain phrases—like dry drunk—to describe someone else’s recovery was unhelpful. Some believe it to be judgmental, prohibitive, exclusive, and narrow-minded. It implies a level of superiority to certain modalities of recovery; that someone who is abstinent is simply coasting along and still acting in a way that isn’t congruent with their—altogether subjective—perception of recovery.
That thread had over 350 comments in a 24-hour period.
It prompted me to think about just how supportive, compassionate, and accepting we are of others in recovery—whatever their path or conception of recovery. I’ve reflected upon these unhelpful phrases and have spoken to a number of people in the recovery community, including advocates who are trying to change how we refer to people with addictive disorders in a way that is more inclusive and supportive. While we are moving leaps and bounds ahead in breaking the stigma attached to addiction within our society, why is there still prejudice and lack of support from people within our own already marginalized community?
[For more on this story by Olivia Pennelle, go to https://www.thefix.com/unhelpful-recovery-terms]
Photo: Language can be a powerful tool and should be carefully considered when addressing sensitive topics like addiction and recovery.
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