The battle against stigma in substance use research has taken a significant step forward, as a new study highlights a notable shift in the language used in grant abstracts funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The research, led by Dr. Evan L. Eschliman and colleagues, analyzed over 6,000 grant abstracts from 2013 to 2023, revealing a substantial decline in the use of stigmatizing terminology, such as "abuser," "addict," and "alcoholic."
The study found that in 2013, more than half (53.8%) of NIDA-funded abstracts contained at least one stigmatizing term. By 2023, this number had dropped to 25.5%. The most commonly used terms were "abuse" and "user," while derogatory terms like "junkie" and "addicted baby" were notably absent. The researchers linked this decline to high-level language guidance, including directives from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2017 and NIDA’s Words Matter guidance in 2021.
A statistical analysis showed an 8% average annual reduction in the use of stigmatizing terms. The sharpest decline occurred between 2017 and 2021, suggesting that institutional efforts to promote more humanizing language had a measurable impact. However, after 2021, the rate of decline slowed, indicating that additional steps might be needed to further reduce stigmatizing language in research.
Dr. Eschliman and his team emphasized that while progress has been made, one in four abstracts still contained problematic language in 2023. They argue that structural and policy changes beyond language guidelines will be necessary to fully eliminate stigma in addiction research. One such proposal includes renaming NIDA to the "National Institute on Drugs and Addiction," a move that could further reshape the discourse around substance use.
The implications of this research extend beyond academia. Stigmatizing language in scientific literature can influence public perception, policy decisions, and even treatment approaches for people who use substances. As the field continues to evolve, the push for person-first and nonjudgmental terminology will be a critical factor in reducing discrimination and improving support for those affected by substance use disorders.
For those interested in the full study, the research is openly accessible through JAMA Network Open: https://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57762
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