The Power of Words – Using Inclusive & Person-Centered Language

Lesson: Adapting Peer Support for Diverse Needs
Time Estimate: ~15 minutes

• Reading Time: ~9 minutes (1,575 words / 175 wpm)
• Activity: Language choice challenge (5-7 minutes)

📖 Learning Objectives

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:
✅ Explain why language matters in peer support
✅ Identify stigma-free, person-centered language that promotes empowerment
✅ Adapt communication to honor individual identity and recovery choices

🔍 Why Language Matters in Peer Support

Words have power. The way we speak to and about peers can either uplift and empower or create stigma and reinforce harm. In peer support, it’s essential to use inclusive, person-centered language that reflects respect, dignity, and self-determination.

✔ Words shape how people see themselves—language can reinforce positive self-identity
✔ Labels can carry stigma—terms like “addict” or “mentally ill” can be harmful
✔ Person-centered language promotes agency—it keeps the focus on the individual, not just their condition

🗣️ “The words we choose can either build bridges or barriers—let’s choose wisely.”

✅ Person-First vs. Identity-First Language

There are two common ways to describe individuals in recovery—person-first language and identity-first language. Different people prefer different terms, so it’s important to ask, listen, and respect individual choices.

1️⃣ Person-First Language (PFL)

✔ Focuses on the individual first, before the condition
✔ Emphasizes that a person is not defined by their struggles
✔ Common in professional and medical settings

✅ Examples of Person-First Language:
✔ “A person in recovery” instead of “an addict”
✔ “A person with a substance use disorder” instead of “a junkie”
✔ “A person with lived experience” instead of “a former addict”

Why It Matters: Person-first language helps reduce stigma by emphasizing that a condition does not define the individual.

2️⃣ Identity-First Language (IFL)

✔ Some people prefer identity-first terms as a source of empowerment
✔ Often used in peer-led communities and advocacy spaces
✔ Recognizes lived experience as a core part of identity

✅ Examples of Identity-First Language:
✔ “I am a peer in recovery” instead of “I have a history of addiction”
✔ “I am a person in long-term recovery” instead of “I was a former alcoholic”
✔ “I am a survivor” instead of “I have PTSD”

Why It Matters: Some people reclaim identity-based language as a form of self-empowerment—always follow the peer’s lead in how they prefer to be identified.

🚫 Avoiding Stigmatizing Language

Certain words and phrases reinforce negative stereotypes and can make peers feel shamed, judged, or dismissed. Using neutral, strengths-based alternatives helps foster respect and dignity.

🚫 What NOT to Say:
❌ “You’re clean now, right?”
❌ “You were an addict before?”
❌ “They relapsed again—guess they aren’t serious about recovery.”

✅ Better Approach:
🔹 Instead of “You relapsed?” try, “I hear you had a setback—how can I support you?”

Key Takeaway: Using strengths-based, nonjudgmental language creates a more inclusive and supportive peer environment.

🛠 Practical Tips for Using Inclusive Language

Adapting language in real time can be challenging, but these simple strategies can help:

✔ Listen for how peers describe themselves—use their preferred language
✔ Avoid making assumptions—don’t assume someone identifies a certain way
✔ Check in if unsure—ask, “How do you prefer to describe your recovery?”
✔ Focus on strengths and resilience—reinforce progress rather than struggles

🚫 What NOT to Do:
❌ Correct or shame someone for how they identify
❌ Use medicalized terms unless appropriate for the setting
❌ Assume everyone follows the same recovery language preferences

✅ Better Approach: Instead of “You should say ‘person in recovery’ instead of ‘addict,’” try “I’ve found that some people prefer ‘person in recovery’—is that language that feels comfortable for you?”

🗣️ “Respecting a peer’s language choices is a core part of person-centered support.”

📌 Key Takeaways

✔ Language shapes perception—using respectful, person-centered words fosters dignity.
✔ Person-first and identity-first language are both valid—respect individual preferences.
✔ Avoiding stigmatizing terms helps reduce shame and promote empowerment.
✔ Adapting language in real time creates a more inclusive peer support environment.

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📚 References & Research

📖 SAMHSA’s Recommendations for Reducing Stigma Through Language (SAMHSA.gov)
📖 National Association of Peer Supporters (NAPS) Guide to Person-Centered Language (NAPS.org)
📖 The Impact of Stigmatizing Language on Recovery Outcomes – Journal of Behavioral Health & Recovery