The Authors’ Own Words: “Alcoholic” or “Person with Alcohol Use Disorder”? Applying person-first diagnostic terminology in the clinical domain

The Authors’ Own Words:

We ask authors to describe their impressions regarding the implications of their accepted work, how their findings will change practice, and what is noteworthy about the work.

“Alcoholic” or “Person with Alcohol Use Disorder”? Applying person-first diagnostic terminology in the clinical domain

Sean M. Robinson , PhD

Substance Abuse Vol. 38, Iss. 1, 2017

Implications of manuscript:
• Makes a compelling argument for the examination of costs associated with the use of stigmatizing language for individuals with SUDs in applied settings.
• Focuses the argument in favor of applying person-first diagnostic labels to individuals with substance use disorders to improved alignment with patient-centered care models and values, which may be particularly relevant to the mission statements of large, multistate providers.
• Makes the case that the proper use of such terminology is more in line with ethical principles supporting mental health care, in particular the “do no harm” and “accurately document diagnoses” provisions.
• Poses questions about the relationship between institutionalized use of terms like “alcoholic” and “addict” and their relationship to the construct of “institutionalized” (i.e., structural) stigma.
• Provides suggestions by which we can reframe potential objections to making the shift to person-first diagnostic labelling within the clinical charting for individuals with SUDs, as well as a number of interesting behavioral and/or technological recommendations.
• Link the recommended changes in language use within clinical settings to broader trends that are both future oriented (i.e., advancing patient centered care principles) and cognizant of our past (e.g., established research on treatment utilization gap for individuals with SUDs).