Thank you Dr. De Jong for giving voice to the issue of "language" in the
arena of alcohol education, especially your concerns regarding the term
"binge drinking" and how it may actually drive students away from
considering our overall message. I echo your sentiments and this is an area
I have been addressing for a number of years, albeit in a different venue.
I would like to add to the list of problematic words and terms used by AOD
professionals, but open by stating why I too believe it is of the utmost
importance that we, who are the recognized alcohol and other drug
professionals on our individual campuses, must "watch our words."
It is relatively easy to add a word or phrase to the lexicon of the
contemporary culture. Just look at the explosion of "e-everything" or the
fact that when giving URLs in advertisements, the "http://www." portion of
the "eddress" is no longer necessary as it is understood, even by those who
do not own computers on which to access the web! This phenomenon becomes
even more pronounced when those recognized as the authorities in any field
are using the terms - if the pros call something by a certain word, that
must be "the" term. When AOD professionals refer to AOD related issues
using a certain jargon, that jargon can quickly become the standard by
which the lay public comes to understand our issues. Interestingly,
however, because the lay public may come to use our terms, that does not
mean that they necessarily attribute our definition/meaning to those terms.
Binge drinking is just an glaring example - the media have taught us that
binge drinking is what students do, but the consumers of the message
believe this means the "Ray Milland Lost Weekend" type of binge drinking.
Here are a couple additional terms I believe we need to be careful of using
because of their implied messages:
1. "alcohol and drugs" --> suggests that alcohol is somehow different than
drugs. Alternative - "alcohol and OTHER drugs"
2. "Adult Children of Alcoholics" --> suggests that the problematic issues
of this population are the sole result of the alcoholic parent when in
actuality, it is the entire chaotic family dynamic that gives rise to these
issues. Alternative - "Adult Children of AlcoholISM"
3. "responsible drinking" --> suggests that programs that advocate this,
actually advocate drinking, albeit responsibly. For some, "responsible
drinking" is abstinence. Alternative - "responsible decision making about
drinking"
4. "drunk driving" --> "drunk" is a pejorative term for most and this
phrase is condescending (or at least is perceived as such by the individual
to whom it refers when it is used as a noun). Alternative - "driving under
the influence" or "driving while impaired."
I realize I run the risk of being lumped in with those who have made a
mockery of "politically correct" terminology. Believe me, I am as
frustrated as many with the increasing difficulty in speaking without
offending someone. On the other hand, however, language is one of if not
'the most' influential tools in the human service worker's toolbox. We need
to use this tool correctly lest we reduce its effectiveness or botch the
job on which it is being used. Remember: Master carpenters do not open
paint cans with screw drivers.
What do you think?
Robert
Robert J. Chapman, Ph.D.
Coordinator, AOD Program
Associate Faculty, Clinical/Counseling Psychology
La Salle University Counseling Center
1900 W. Olney Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199
Phone: 215-951-1355 Fax: 215-951-1451
mailto:chapman@lasalle.edu
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