Words Matter: How the Language of Recovery Can Save Lives

If you’ve spent any time around Horizon Recovery Initiative, you’ve probably noticed we use certain words and avoid others. You won’t hear us use words like “junkie,” “clean,” or “dirty.” It’s not because we’re trying to be the “grammar police” or stay “politically correct.” It’s because, in the world of recovery, the words we choose can actually change the chemistry of the room.

I’ve seen firsthand how a single word can make someone feel like a human being again—or make them want to disappear. When we talk about addiction, we aren’t just describing a situation; we’re shaping a reality. Here’s why we’re so intentional about the language we use, and how you can use it too.

1. Person-First Language

One of the biggest shifts in BC healthcare and advocacy is moving toward person-first language. This means we see the human before we see the struggle.

• Instead of: “An addict” or “A user.”
• Try: “A person who uses drugs” or “Someone struggling with substance use.”

Why? Because when you label someone by their struggle, you make it their entire identity. When we call someone a “person who uses drugs,” we’re acknowledging that they are a whole human being—someone’s son, a talented cook, a neighbor—who happens to be dealing with a health condition. It leaves room for them to grow into someone else.

2. The Problem with “Clean” and “Dirty”

We hear these terms everywhere, even in movies and doctor’s offices. Someone has a “clean” drug test, or they’ve been “clean” for six months. But think about what that implies. If you aren’t “clean,” what are you? You’re “dirty.”

Language like this reinforces the idea that addiction is a moral stain rather than a health issue.

• Instead of: “I’ve been clean for a year.”
• Try: “I’ve been in recovery for a year” or “I’ve been substance-free.”
• Instead of: “They had a dirty test.”
• Try: “They tested positive for substances.”

By removing the “clean/dirty” binary, we remove a massive layer of shame. Shame is what keeps people from being honest with their doctors and their families. When we use neutral, clinical language, we make it safer for people to tell the truth.

3. “Relapse” vs. “Recurrence”

For a long time, “relapse” has been treated like a dirty word—a sign of total failure. At Horizon, we often talk about a “recurrence of symptoms.” This might sound like “word salad,” but there’s a reason for it.

If someone with diabetes has a spike in their blood sugar, we don’t say they “failed” or “relapsed.” We say they’re having a recurrence of their symptoms and we adjust their treatment. Treating addiction with that same medical logic takes the “moral weight” off the person’s shoulders and puts the focus back on the solution.

4. Why This Matters to You

You might be thinking, “Does it really matter what I call it if the person is still struggling?” The answer is a resounding yes. Studies show that even trained medical professionals provide lower-quality care when a patient is described as a “substance abuser” versus “having a substance use disorder.” Our words prime our brains to either feel empathy or feel judgment.

If you’re a family member, using supportive language tells your loved one: “I see your humanity, and I believe you are more than your current struggle.” That belief is often the very thing that gives someone the strength to try one more time.

5. How to Start the Shift

You don’t have to get it perfect every time. I still catch myself using old terms occasionally. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s awareness.

• Listen: Pay attention to how people in the recovery community talk about themselves.
• Ask: If you aren’t sure what terms a friend prefers, just ask! “I want to be supportive—is there a certain way you like to talk about your journey?”
• Correct Gently: If you hear someone use a stigmatizing word, you can gently offer a different perspective. “I’ve started saying ‘person-first’ because it reminds me that they’re still the same person I love underneath the struggle.”

The Bottom Line

Language is a tool. We can use it to build walls of shame, or we can use it to build bridges of connection. In BC, we’re choosing to build bridges. By changing our words, we’re changing the culture of recovery—making it a place where everyone feels worthy of a seat at the table.