At various levels, stigma encompasses thoughts, perceptions, practices, and institutions and can result in prejudice or discrimination towards those with cognitive function diagnoses or substance use disorders (SUD). Medical professionals have a significant amount of discrimination and negative attitudes toward substance abusers, partly due to disparaging or condescending terminology (NYS OASAS, 2021). At the time of treatment, stigma does not deter individuals with SUD from using substances; instead, it creates feelings of worthlessness and triggers further use (NYS OASAS, 2021). As a result, patients present to treatment late, do not disclose substance addiction, downplay suffering, and seek care elsewhere.
Medical professionals must investigate the underlying causes of individuals abusing substances, such as adverse childhood outcomes (ACOs) and their health consequences. Additionally, clinicians should conduct trauma-informed treatment, which includes an awareness of the pervasive effect of trauma and the ability to recognize trauma-related clinical symptoms in their clients (NYS OASAS, 2021). As a result, they are obligated to respond by fully incorporating trauma understanding into regulations and vigorously resisting re-traumatization (NYS OASAS, 2021). Denigrating language in health records harms clients’ feelings and the treatment they deliver, as it perpetuates bias among other clinicians.
Physicians can strengthen language by creating a welcome setting, avoiding judgmental communication, and employing identity-affirming dialect to foster stigma-free and inclusive patient care settings. Health professionals should use a person-centered and strength-based approach when communicating with individuals with SUD (NYS OASAS, 2021). By avoiding terminologies such as addict, user, heroin addict, and druggie, medical workers can provide more appropriate care to people with SUD (NYS OASAS, 2021).
For new practitioners, patient records transcription is frequently their first experience. When studying their health records outside the medical environment, patients with SUD are more involved and in control of their care (NYS OASAS, 2021). Moreover, effective patient-centered treatment bolsters the patient’s perspective, encourages endurance, and promotes healing.
Reference
NYS OASAS. (2021). Addressing the use of stigmatizing language towards persons with substance use disorders [Video]. YouTube. Web.