*A Note on Language
We honor the experiences of participants with lived/living experience by not changing the language people used in these videos. 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. Not doing so leads to worse outcomes and experiences. Please review this NIDA page on person-first language for preferred terms to use when communicating both verbally and in charts.
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.
