🌱 Why We Don’t Say “Substance Abuse” Anymore
— And Why It Matters
David Frank, American Family Center, Inc.
June 11, 2025
Words matter. Especially when it comes to families, recovery, and healing.
At the American Family Center, we focus on real challenges facing real people — including those impacted by substance use. You may notice we’re using that phrase — substance use — instead of what used to be called substance abuse. Why the change?
It’s not just wordplay. It’s progress.
❌ From “Abuse” to “Use”: What Changed?
For years, the term substance abuse was used by professionals, media, and families alike. But over time, clinicians, researchers, and public health experts recognized something:
The term “Substance Abuse” carried stigma. It implied a moral failure. It labeled people. It pushed them further into shame instead of recovery.
Today, the more accurate and respectful term is substance use — and when appropriate, substance use disorder (SUD).
This shift reflects how we now understand addiction:
👉 As a health condition, not a personal weakness.
👉 As a spectrum, not a single label.
👉 As something people recover from — especially when they aren’t judged for it.
🔄 Old Language vs New Language
| Outdated Term | Preferred Language |
| Substance abuse | Substance use |
| Addict | Person with a substance use disorder |
| Drug abuser | Person who uses drugs |
| Clean/sober | In recovery / substance-free |
| Relapse | Return to use |
This isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about being effective, compassionate, and honest. The words we use can either open the door to help — or slam it shut.
đź’ś How AFC Supports Families
Many of the families we support have been affected by substance use — whether directly or through a loved one’s struggle. We know that judgment, shame, and isolation make things worse.
That’s why we use person-first, respectful language in our communications and our programs. We encourage others to do the same — because everyone deserves dignity on the road to recovery.