Language, Stigma, and People with Opioid Use Disorders

Language, Stigma, and People with Opioid Use Disorders is organized by Brown Alpert Medical School.

Program Release: December 17, 2020
Expiration Date: December 17, 2022

Target Audience:
Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants

Description:
This presentation will address stigma against opioid use disorder from the perspective of social psychology/public health, review the impacts of stigma on treatment and recovery, and discuss the importance of person first and non-stigmatizing language in clinical interactions and medical documentation. Particular emphasis will be placed on medical mistrust and the importance of building trust in the context of the criminalization of substance use. This presentation draws not only on the relevant scientific research, but also the presenter’s lived experience of addiction and recovery.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, attendees should be able to:
• Define stigma and understand its impact on people with Opioid Use Disorders.
• Identify stigmatizing language and develop a more objective, medical vocabulary.
• Understand the consequences of stigmatizing language in patient documentation.