The Power of Words: A Psycholinguistic Exploration of Addiction

A year ago, I wrote an article titled “The Power of Words: A Deep Dive into the Language of Addiction,” exploring how the language we use to describe addiction shapes societal views, perpetuates stigma, and influences the way we treat individuals suffering from substance use disorders. I argued that the words we use, such as “addict” or “junkie,” go beyond mere labels—they reinforce harmful stereotypes, leading to shame, discrimination, and often neglect in care (Time to Listen, 2023). Since then, I have realised that this topic goes even deeper than I originally thought, particularly when considering the psycholinguistic power of words. How does language not only reflect but shape reality? What if the way we talk about addiction influences the very thoughts and behaviours of those affected?

To answer these questions, I decided to revisit the article and explore the language of addiction through the lens of psycholinguistics, and in doing so, I’ve uncovered even more about the significant, often unconscious, impact of our words.

Stoke-on-Trent: A Personal Realisation

Before we dive into the theories, let me take you back to Stoke-on-Trent, where I grew up. Life was ok. Like many children, I was blissfully unaware of the wider world, and my local community was my universe. Shops were open, markets were lively, and people chatted with one another. But as I grew older, I noticed that this great city was changing. Shops closed, markets became quieter, and the community connection began to dissolve. However, what really struck me, like a hot iron, was how many people I knew, or knew of, who were using substances like alcohol, cannabis, heroin, and more recently, monkey dust. What stands out now is the language we—myself included—used to describe these people. We casually threw around terms like “drugger,” “smack head,” “dust head,” and “alcoholic.”

At the time, these words seemed normal, a part of the everyday vocabulary, but I now understand the damage they were doing. These words have since left my vocabulary, but they still persist in the speech of others around me. What I’ve come to understand is that these words not only describe a person—they reduce them, locking them into their substance use as if that is all they are.

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Language Shapes Thought

This brings me to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, a theory from the field of psycholinguistics, which suggests that the language we use doesn’t just describe reality—it creates it. According to this hypothesis, the words and structures within a language influence how its speakers perceive the world. In the case of addiction, the words we use to describe people—whether we call them “junkies” or “people with substance use disorders”—shape how we think about them, and, crucially, how they think about themselves.

Imagine the difference between these two statements:

• “John is a smack head.”

• “John is a person with a substance use disorder.”

In the first, John is defined entirely by his addiction. There’s no room for his other qualities—he’s simply reduced to his relationship with heroin. The second statement, however, allows John to be more than his addiction. He is still a person, someone with a problem that requires understanding and support. According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, this difference in language affects not just how others see John, but how he might see himself. If he internalises the label “smack head,” he may begin to believe that his addiction defines him, that it’s inescapable. On the other hand, being called “a person with a substance use disorder” leaves room for change—it’s a description of a condition, not an identity (Ashford et al., 2018).

The Etymology of Addiction: A Word with Two Sides

The word “addiction” itself has a fascinating history. Originally, it wasn’t a negative term at all. In fact, in the 17th century, to be “addicted” to something meant to be devoted to a person or a cause—it was a positive attachment (Rosenthal & Faris, 2019). However, over time, the word took on a darker meaning, particularly as it became associated with substances like alcohol and opium. Today, “addiction” is often seen as a form of enslavement, trapping a person in a harmful relationship with a substance or behaviour.

This duality in the meaning of “addiction” reflects a broader tension in how we view addiction itself. On one hand, there is the person who is suffering, deserving of care and empathy. On the other hand, there is the stigma, the shame, the idea that the individual is at fault for their condition. Language plays a crucial role in this tension—how we talk about addiction can either reinforce the stigma or help dismantle it.

Stigma and Language: A Harmful Cycle

Stigma is a powerful force, and it is deeply embedded in the language we use around addiction. Studies have shown that words like “substance abuser” or “addict” evoke more negative reactions from healthcare professionals than phrases like “person with a substance use disorder.” In one study, clinicians were significantly more likely to recommend punitive actions when someone was described as a “substance abuser” rather than as a “person in recovery” (Botticelli & Koh, 2016). This implicit bias doesn’t just exist in healthcare—it’s everywhere. In the media, in our communities, and in our own minds.

The problem with stigma is that it creates a cycle. People with addiction are often too ashamed to seek help because they fear being judged. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, stigma was one of the main reasons why individuals didn’t seek treatment, with many fearing negative opinions from neighbours and employers (Botticelli & Koh, 2016). If we continue to use language that reinforces this stigma, we are not only failing to help people recover—we are actively making it harder for them to reach out in the first place.

Changing the Language: A Path Forward

But here’s the good news: language is not static. Just as words can perpetuate stigma, they can also be used to change minds and foster empathy. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to shift away from harmful language and adopt person-first terminology, like “person with a substance use disorder” instead of “addict.” This isn’t just a linguistic nicety—it has real-world effects. Research shows that when we use less stigmatizing language, it reduces the social distance between us and people with addiction, making it easier for them to access care and support (Ashford et al., 2018).

It’s not just about individual words; it’s about the larger narrative. Addiction is not a moral failing—it is a complex, chronic condition that affects the brain, and it requires the same compassion and medical treatment that we would offer to anyone with a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. By changing our language, we can start to change the story around addiction, from one of blame and shame to one of recovery and hope.

Conclusion: The Power of Words

As I reflect on my journey from that initial article to this deeper exploration of psycholinguistics, I am struck by how much language shapes our world. The words we use matter—not just in how we speak to others, but in how we see them and how we see ourselves. By choosing words that promote understanding and empathy, we can help break down the stigma that surrounds addiction and create a more supportive, compassionate society.

So, the next time you find yourself in a conversation about addiction, pause and think about the words you are using. Do they reduce someone to their addiction, or do they allow for the possibility of recovery? In this simple shift, we hold the power to change lives—one word at a time.

References Ashford, R. D., Brown, A. M. & Curtis, B. (2018) ‘Abusing Addiction: Our Language Still Isn’t Good Enough’, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 36(5), pp. 437–455. Botticelli, M. P. & Koh, H. K. (2016) ‘Changing the Language of Addiction’, JAMA, 316(13), pp. 1361–1362. Rosenthal, R. J. & Faris, S. B. (2019) ‘The Etymology and Early History of Addiction’, Addiction Research & Theory, 27(5), pp. 437–449. Time to Listen (2023) The Power of Words: A Deep Dive into the Language of Addiction. Available at: https://layeredcare.wordpress.com/2023/10/28/the-power-of-words-a-deep-dive-into-the-language-of-addiction/ [Accessed 7 October 2024].