*A Note on Language
We honor these stories by not adjusting the language people used to convey them as participants are sharing their own experiences. However, some of the videos contain language that can perpetuate stigma toward people with substance use disorders. As healthcare workers, we should use person-first language to reduce stigma and bias when discussion addiction. Not doing so leads to worse outcomes and experiences. Please review this NIDA page on person-first language for preferred terms to use when talking to and about people who use drugs.
Every person's story is different, take the time to listen.
There are many reasons why people use substances, including grief, instability, trauma, pain, safety, and other social and life stressors. There is no way to know a person's story without creating a non-judgmental space to hear their story.
There's like a misconception that when people turn to drugs it's because they give up, they're weak, they're lazy. I know in my case the drugs [were] because I didn't wanna give up.
- Caroline, Community Advocate
