HEAL Connections Sharing Session Two-Part Series: Inclusive Language, Imagery, and Storytelling for Addiction and Pain Researcher Teams—Focus on Addiction

Wilson Compton, NIDA

Wilson M. Compton serves as the Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) of the National Institutes of Health. NIDA is the world’s largest funder of research on health aspects of drug use and addiction, including research related to preventing drug use, treating addiction and addressing the serious health consequences of drug use, such as substance-related HIV/AIDS. In his current role, Compton’s responsibilities include working with the Director to provide scientific leadership in the development, implementation, and management of NIDA’s research portfolio to improve the prevention and treatment of drug use and addiction. In addition to his status as a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Compton is a two-time recipient of the FDA’s Leveraging Collaboration Award and a three-time recipient of the Health and Human Services Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.

Anne Rancourt, NIDA

Anne Rancourt oversees NIDA’s communications activities and serves as the Chief, Communications Branch in the Office of Science Policy and Communications. Prior to joining the NIDA team in 2020, she worked at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases as a section chief responsible for communications on HIV, allergy, and immunology. Rancourt previously served as the communications director for the Office of Research on Women’s Health and at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute where she directed media and digital strategy for The Heart Truth campaign, which raised awareness of heart disease in women. Rancourt has a BA in English from Georgetown University and a master’s in strategic public relations from George Washington University.

Valerie Earnshaw, University of Delaware

Dr. Valerie Earnshaw is a social psychologist who studies stigma and health inequities. Her research has contributed to understanding of how individuals in recovery from substance use disorders experience stigma and how stigma harms recovery efforts. Dr. Earnshaw is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware and the recipient of the Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest from the American Psychological Association.

Jessica Hulsey, Addiction Policy Forum

Jessica Hulsey is the founder and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating awareness around substance use disorders and helping patients and families in crisis. Hulsey drives stakeholder engagement and science translation for the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) and HEAL Connections centers. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the field of prevention, treatment, and policy solutions to address substance use disorders. Hulsey serves on the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse and has testified before the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, as well as both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Her efforts helped secure the passage of H.R. 6, the SUPPORT Act, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the Second Chance Act, the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act and the Drug-Free Communities Act. Hulsey received her BA from Princeton University.

DeAnna Hoskins, JustLeadershipUSA

DeAnna Hoskins has been at the helm of JLUSA as the President and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) since 2018. A nationally recognized leader and dynamic public speaker, Hoskins has been committed to the movement for racial and social justice, working alongside those most impacted by marginalization for over two decades. Her own life experience has been this driving force, having been directly impacted by the system of incarceration and the war on drugs, and with her professional experience, from working on grassroots campaigns to state and federal government. Hoskins holds a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor of Social Work from the College of Mount St. Joseph. She is a licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor, a certified Workforce Development Specialist trainer for formerly incarcerated people, a Peer Recovery Coach, and is trained as a Community Health Worker.

The following resources are recommended further reading from our Inclusive Language, Imagery, and Storytelling for Addiction and Pain Researcher Teams—Focus on Addiction panelists. You can also sign up for NIDAMED News Alerts.

• Addressing the Stigma around Substance Use Disorders
  • This course was developed by JCOIN and JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) to help educate individuals involved with the criminal justice system on the latest research and innovations around addiction and criminal justice stigma. The course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and features leading experts on stigma within the SUD and criminal justice fields. See Lesson 4: Language Matters
• Guidance for Using Non-Stigmatizing Imagery for Substance Use Disorders and Justice Involvement
  • This publication details recommendations for types of images to use and types of images to avoid in publication and materials. The guidance in this publication is informed by a focus group conducted by JCOIN's Coordination and Translation Center (CTC) in December 2020, and interviews with individuals with lived experience with substance use disorder and criminal justice involvement.
• Language Matters Infographic
  • Mission: When words are used inappropriately to describe individuals with a substance use disorder, it not only negatively impacts the cultural perception of their disease, but creates stigma that can stop people from seeking help. Language matters. Let’s replace terms like “addict” and “junkie” with smarter language that aligns with the science.
• Addictionary
  • A dictionary of terms that have to do with substance use. Mission Statement: If we want addiction destigmatized, we need a language that's unified. The words we use matter. Caution needs to be taken, especially when the disorders concerned are heavily stigmatized as substance use disorders are.
• At the Intersection: HIV and Substance Use Research Videos / YouTube Playlist
  • A web video series on the latest approaches in treatment and care from experts in the fields of HIV and SUD, featuring people with lived experience. The series includes five short (4 – 10 min.) videos on the following topics: “Caring for People Who Use Drugs”; “Trust, Stigma, and Patient Care”; “What is Harm Reduction?”; “Sex, Meth, and HIV”; and “Addressing Barriers to Care.” Dr. Nora Volkow introduces and explains the importance of these videos on her blog, in posts commemorating World AIDS Day and dismantling the stigma associated with HIV and methamphetamine use.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse Physicians’ Outreach Initiative (NIDAMED) Clinical Resources,[HW1] [SR2]
  • Includes CME/CE courses on topics related to opioid and substance use disorders, a collection of resources addressing stigma and health disparities, and guides to appropriate terms for talking about addiction (for healthcare providers and patients/the general public) and using person-first language.
• Stigma and Discrimination Portal
  • A collection of educational resources and FAQs on stigma and discrimination for an audience of the general public.
• HIV Language Guide
  • When scientists and administrators write or speak about HIV, the words they choose have the power to passively perpetuate ignorance and bias. Conversely, they have the power to respectfully and accurately represent people and ideas. This guide was designed to help those at NIAID communicate about their work using empowering rather than stigmatizing language, especially as it relates to HIV.