Expanded Language Style Guide

Welcome to the Reporting on Addiction Expanded Language Style Guide!

Here, you will find definitions of common terminology used in the field of addiction science and medicine, as well as language recommendations to decrease stigma in your reporting. Pay close attention to words with a Stigma Alert for those recommendations. 

Use the chart below for the full list of (ever-growing) terms and clickable links at the bottom to quickly sort by the tags.

Under a tight deadline? View our free downloadable one-page Language Style Guide for faster viewing of common terminology and our recommendations.

Reporting on Addiction’s Expanded Style Guide was modeled after the Recovery Research Institute’s “Addictionary.” View their full glossary of substance use disorder terminology here.

Click links below to quickly filter by tags: