May 2010 PMID 20005692

Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms.

John F Kelly, Cassandra M Westerhoff

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Mentions

50
Peak: 3 in Jun 2020
across 6 sources since Jun 2020

Extended reach

57,616
potential audience

Total likes

48

Video views

153

Mentions per month

Jun 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News22 articles
  • X / Twitter12 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • Facebook4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The social discussions emphasize the significance of terminology, with examples like healthcare providers being more punitive towards those labeled as 'substance abusers,' and references to empirical studies supporting these claims. The tone reflects concern and advocacy, stressing that language choices can reinforce stigma and impact treatment outcomes.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of terminology and cite studies showing the influence of words on attitudes and treatment, indicating general support for the article's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate active engagement with concepts like stigma, healthcare provider bias, and terminology, showing high interest in the subject matter.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants reference multiple sources, discuss implications for treatment and societal attitudes, and share personal insights, reflecting deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight the potential for changing language to reduce stigma and improve care, suggesting the article influences thinking about policy and practice, though some comments are more about reinforcing known ideas.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates whether the terminology used to describe individuals with substance-related conditions, specifically "substance abuser" versus "having a substance use disorder," influences people's perceptions of blame, threat, and treatment.
  • The research found no difference in perceptions of social threat or victim treatment between the two terms, but those labeled as "substance abusers" were more likely to be seen as personally responsible and deserving punishment.
  • Even trained mental health professionals tend to hold more punitive attitudes when the term "substance abuser" is used, suggesting that this terminology may reinforce stigmatizing beliefs.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Kate O'Neill
@okatherine · X

I love you & your ice cream @benandjerrys. & I know you know how important language is when confronting bias. SO a quick note about the term "substance abuse": There is empirical evidence that it contributes to the significant bias against ppl w/ addiction https://t.co/iZzw9DViy0 https://t.co/E5lzFbpi8F

Jun 20, 2020 · 39 likes · 5 shares · 561 followers View post →
David Tian 田聪, MD, MPP
@DCTian · X

@primarycarechat A3: Absolutely! This is shown in the literature. Some examples: When people are framed as “addicts” in case presentations, health care providers are more likely to recommend punishment rather than treatment. (1/2) https://t.co/rMRcsYUM5J

Apr 8, 2021 · 4 likes · 1,008 followers View post →
Casy Calver PhD
@CasyCalver · X

@DrAdiJaffe And less likely to receive standard of care treatments from providers who may (even unconsciously) view people with SUDs as less deserving... https://t.co/aYGwkXYOEH

Aug 5, 2020 · 2 likes · 389 followers View post →
Jody Lanard MD
@EIDGeek · X

@benryanwriter @MichaelMcGough3 I didn't go through all the footnotes, but I quickly found one that led to another and then to another, ending with this link to research showing more punitive stigma against "a substance abuser" & less against someone "having a substance abuse disorder." https://t.co/Px3VrTGhcS

Jan 28, 2023 · 1 like · 6,381 followers View post →
Casy Calver PhD
@CasyCalver · X

@Dr_ArpitParmar Thanks for this helpful thread and for referencing @AddJournalEds (shameless plug!). This study showed that the terms used to describe people who use drugs impact the care they receive. https://t.co/aYGwkXZmuf

Mar 2, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 389 followers View post →
J. Thankful Hammersley PhD
@jhammersley.bsky.social · Bluesky

Kind of like this one too: Kelly JF, Westerhoff CM. Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. Int J Drug Policy. 2010 May;21(3):202-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.10.010

Sep 5, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →

All mentions

J. Thankful Hammersley PhD
@jhammersley.bsky.social · Bluesky

Kind of like this one too: Kelly JF, Westerhoff CM. Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. Int J Drug Policy. 2010 May;21(3):202-7. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.10.010

Sep 5, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Noah Emery, PhD
@EmeryNoahN · X

@ABCole25 SUD stigma - Kelly & Westerhoff (2010) https://t.co/YloLlJo4Wg

Jan 17, 2024 · 3,051 followers View post →
Dr Arpit Parmar, MD, DM
@Dr_ArpitParmar · X

RT @CasyCalver: @Dr_ArpitParmar Thanks for this helpful thread and for referencing @AddJournalEds (shameless plug!). This study showed that…

Mar 2, 2023 · 1 share · 3,329 followers View post →
Casy Calver PhD
@CasyCalver · X

@Dr_ArpitParmar Thanks for this helpful thread and for referencing @AddJournalEds (shameless plug!). This study showed that the terms used to describe people who use drugs impact the care they receive. https://t.co/aYGwkXZmuf

Mar 2, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 389 followers View post →
Jody Lanard MD
@EIDGeek · X

@benryanwriter @MichaelMcGough3 I didn't go through all the footnotes, but I quickly found one that led to another and then to another, ending with this link to research showing more punitive stigma against "a substance abuser" & less against someone "having a substance abuse disorder." https://t.co/Px3VrTGhcS

Jan 28, 2023 · 1 like · 6,381 followers View post →
Oliver Scott Curry
@Oliver_S_Curry · X

Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? [A: Not after controlling for multiple comparisons.] https://t.co/kJPicGZmVG

Apr 23, 2022 · 5,922 followers View post →
Psyciencia
@Psyciencia · X

- Kelly JF, Westerhoff CM. Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. Int J Drug Policy. 2010;21:202–7. https://t.co/I5W42R41AE. Epub 2009 Dec 14. PMID: 20005692.

Nov 10, 2021 · 35,637 followers View post →
Katie Chaucer
@kngoss · X

@tmc_RN @drannamvaldez @NrsgMutualAid @radicalnurses @nurses4humrghts @NursingTheoryCo @APHAPHN Yes! With lit to back this one up, https://t.co/X8aAfGyTJj

Apr 9, 2021 · 78 followers View post →
David Tian 田聪, MD, MPP
@DCTian · X

@primarycarechat A3: Absolutely! This is shown in the literature. Some examples: When people are framed as “addicts” in case presentations, health care providers are more likely to recommend punishment rather than treatment. (1/2) https://t.co/rMRcsYUM5J

Apr 8, 2021 · 4 likes · 1,008 followers View post →
Casy Calver PhD
@CasyCalver · X

@DrAdiJaffe And less likely to receive standard of care treatments from providers who may (even unconsciously) view people with SUDs as less deserving... https://t.co/aYGwkXYOEH

Aug 5, 2020 · 2 likes · 389 followers View post →
Lynn Copes
@lynnepithecus · X

RT @okatherine: I love you & your ice cream @benandjerrys. & I know you know how important language is when confronting bias. SO a quick no…

Jun 21, 2020 · 5 shares · 591 followers View post →
Chortles
@chortles81 · X

RT @okatherine: I love you & your ice cream @benandjerrys. & I know you know how important language is when confronting bias. SO a quick no…

Jun 20, 2020 · 5 shares · 92 followers View post →
Kate O'Neill
@okatherine · X

I love you & your ice cream @benandjerrys. & I know you know how important language is when confronting bias. SO a quick note about the term "substance abuse": There is empirical evidence that it contributes to the significant bias against ppl w/ addiction https://t.co/iZzw9DViy0 https://t.co/E5lzFbpi8F

Jun 20, 2020 · 39 likes · 5 shares · 561 followers View post →