A Conversation with Your Doctor: Let's Talk About Your Safety This Domestic Violence Awareness Month
OCT 08, 2025Your primary care doctor can be a first step towards your safety from domestic violence.
Read MoreFor far too long, substance use disorder (SUD) has been shrouded in negative biases and misunderstandings that end up stigmatizing people.
Fortunately, the tide is turning. Thanks to groundbreaking research, we now have a much deeper understanding of SUD. Well-supported scientific evidence shows that:
One of the most common stigmas related to SUD is people who use substances are “weak” and relapse is a sign of that weakness. Researchers are finding that much more is going on. For example, studies have shown that:
Knowledge like this is paving the way for a more empathetic approach to how we talk about and treat individuals with SUD.
Research suggests just one in four people consider SUD to be a chronic illness. This misunderstanding reinforces stigma related to substance use. Stigma can get in the way of individuals seeking and thus receiving the treatment they need (and deserve because they are people).
Examples of common stigmas and misconceptions, according to the Centers for Disease Control, include:
Often people don’t realize there can be a greater risk of developing a SUD due to a person’s:
Stigmas like these can prevent people from admitting to loved ones or health care professionals that they are struggling, and ultimately get in the way of them receiving the care they need (and deserve).
When you know better, you do better – and that applies to how we talk about substance use disorder. Language that reflects an accurate, science-based understanding of SUD includes these suggestions:
These subtle shifts in language reinforce that these are people with a chronic and treatable illness. They are more than their disorder. They are someone’s mother, father, son or daughter. Treating them compassionately and as a person first ultimately improves the chances they will seek treatment so they can recover to lead healthier lives.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424849/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424849/
https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/stigma-reduction/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/stigma/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/stigma-reduction/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/stigma/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/stigma-reduction/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/stigma/index.html
https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-education/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction
Your primary care doctor can be a first step towards your safety from domestic violence.
Read MoreOne in four people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. Let's work together to break the stigma and silence by starting a conversation, sharing our stories, and prioritizing our own mental health.
Read MoreMental illness can often be a silent struggle, and your PCP is often the first line of defense in recognizing the signs and connecting you with the support you need.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.