# What do former drug addicts prefer to be called? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 14, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438 "2015-12-14T19:38:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/1 "2015-12-14T19:38:12Z")
The company I work for just acquired a major drug rehab group as a client, and I was hired on to be a part of their writing team. As we are writing our articles and such one of the problems we have discovered we are running into is what we are calling the people who are within, and/or recent graduates of, the facility. No one on staff personally knows anyone who has gone through the recovery process so we don’t have anyone we can really ask, so I thought I’d make a thread here. It’s easy just to keep saying “addict” and “recovering addict” but I think that sounds a bit…harsh. Because of this I mostly go with “recovering individual” or “patients” as much as possible but, again, I just don’t know. Can anyone shed any light on what recovering addicts prefer to be called when being referenced? Is “recovering addict” ok? Recovering individual? Former user? ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/2 "2015-12-14T21:03:00Z")
I’ve never been a drug addict but I’d prefer to be called Bob, if my name was Bob that is. However if you subscribe to the AA, never been to AA either so I could have this wrong, philosophy I suppose you could just call them addicts. ---
**Author:** ![mind\_the\_gap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@mind\_the\_gap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mind_the_gap)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/3 "2015-12-14T21:32:39Z")
I would say “alumni”. Seeing as how these people have gained a skill (staying sober) that they didn’t have when they first went in for recovery that seems appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/4 "2015-12-14T21:35:47Z")
Quitters. ---
**Author:** ![jerry\_smissingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e56c9b/32.png) [@jerry\_smissingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerry_smissingfinger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/5 "2015-12-14T22:11:58Z")
My friend has been sober 10+ years and considers himself “Recovering addict in maintenance” Dunno ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/6 "2015-12-14T22:13:46Z")
Clients. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/7 "2015-12-14T22:17:26Z")
Their name. Why do we always look for labels? Addict. Recovering \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Ex-\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ How about just ‘people’? ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/8 "2015-12-14T22:52:00Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Why do we always look for labels? Because they’re so useful for discriminating between groups of people with something in common. The ‘survivor’ tag is very trendy at the moment, so maybe ‘Narcotic Survivors’? But really, ask the rehab staff/clients. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/9 "2015-12-14T23:19:53Z")
Just because they graduated does not mean they are in recovery. If you know thy are in recovery then recovering addict or alcoholic should be fine to reference them. Otherwise simply calling them graduates might be more accurate. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/10 "2015-12-14T23:35:52Z")
chemically independent? Toxicologically challenged? drug dis-addicted? ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2015, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/11 "2015-12-14T23:57:04Z")
Technically, I am a ‘former’ alcoholic - I used it for sleep and was appalled to discover a physical dependency. Anyone who wants to identify me as a (insert label here) will not be viewed kindly. Thise who self-identify as ‘recovering alcoholic’ are the most obnoxious people I know. p.s. - it is quite easy for _some_ “former alcoholics” to have a beer with their pizza or wine with their lunch. It is even possible to go out drinking with the gang. I have a bit of vodka in the pantry. I has been there since 2009. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/12 "2015-12-15T00:06:09Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > The ‘survivor’ tag is very trendy at the moment, so maybe ‘Narcotic Survivors’? _Survivor_? Seriously? God, that’s fucking pretentious. Although if you do go with that, hopefully some wacky Larry David-esque misunderstanding will ensue. Such as the _Curb Your Enthusiasm_ episode where Larry is hyped about meeting a “survivor”, who of course he believes to be a Holocaust survivor, and turns out to be a former contestant on the game show _Survivor_. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/13 "2015-12-15T00:08:23Z")
People in a 12-step based program will not be offended by being referred to as “recovering addicts.” People who are not in a program of recovery, well, you never know what they’re ready to be offended by. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/14 "2015-12-15T00:46:52Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Clients. This. Or “patients.” Define them by their relationship to the facility, not by their relationship to drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/15 "2015-12-15T00:51:21Z")
> [@cher3](#): > > People in a 12-step based program will not be offended by being referred to as “recovering addicts.” > > People who are not in a program of recovery, well, you never know what they’re ready to be offended by. QFT. I"m a recovering addict and alcoholic. For over 25 years now. I’ll be ‘recovered’ after I’m dead. QtM, obnoxious clean and sober person. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/16 "2015-12-15T00:52:18Z")
Drug seeky. Or the drug seekers. (Thanks to Neal Stephenson) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/17 "2015-12-15T00:58:24Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Just because they graduated does not mean they are in recovery. If you know thy are in recovery then recovering addict or alcoholic should be fine to reference them. Otherwise simply calling them graduates might be more accurate. I agree with this. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/18 "2015-12-15T01:56:36Z")
Why don’t you just ask your client how it refers to that group of people. Some prefer “patients,” some “clients,” in-patient facilities talk about “residents” and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Heckity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/19 "2015-12-15T02:44:32Z")
My husband who has been free of his addiction for 15 years, agrees with “recovering addict”. He shares **Qadgop the Mercotan’s** view that he won’t be fully “recovered” in this lifetime. Ever vigilant. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438/20 "2015-12-15T03:32:09Z")
As an alcoholic now sober 29 years, I’d anticipate “alcoholic” or perhaps the misleading “recovering/recovered alcoholic”. I wouldn’t take any offense at language referring collectively to a group of us. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-former-drug-addicts-prefer-to-be-called/740438.md?page=2)