Tribal communities often are highly distrustful of research due to experiences with unethical practices, stereotyping, discrimination, stigmatization, failure to share benefits from research with their communities, and lack of respect for culture and beliefs. This pocket guide provides information on tribal sovereignty and appropriate steps prevention specialists and researchers should take when working with tribal communities.
Addiction is a chronic but treatable medical condition. Often unintentionally, many people still talk about addiction in ways that are stigmatizing—meaning they use words that can portray someone with a substance use disorder (SUD) in a shameful or negative way and may prevent them from seeking treatment.9 With simple changes in language harmful stigma and negativity around SUD can be reduced or avoided. Read on to learn more about what stigma is, how it affects people with SUD, and how you can help make a change.
This brief provides several strategies, including how to intentionally use language to: 1) fight stigma and 2) facilitate engagement with parents and family members affected by SUDs.