The Power of Words

This resource was developed by a collaboration of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Association of Participating Service Users/Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (APSU/SHARC), Department of Health and Human Services, Harm Reduction Victoria and Penington Institute.

This guide provides advice on using non-stigmatising language with clients to improve health outcomes.

Summary: The Power of Words is a language guide for healthcare and other professionals designed to reduce stigma and improve health outcomes for people who use alcohol and other drugs. The guide contains evidence-based advice on using non-stigmatising language, and features an easy-to-navigate, colour-coded directory of alternative words and phrases to suit a range of common scenarios. The guide is available in both pdf and digital flip-book formats.

Developers: The Power of Words has been produced by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Association of Participating Service Users/Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (APSU/SHARC), Department of Health and Human Services, Harm Reduction Victoria and Penington Institute, following an extensive review of evidence-based literature as well as focus groups with people with lived experience and their families.

Year: 2019

Costs: Free

Evidence base: This resource has undergone expert review. Refer to the guide for a full reference list.

Access the Power of Words language guide