Language Matters
Which phrase is more respectful and non-stigmatizing?
A) Addict
B) Junkie
C) Person who uses drugs
D) Drug abuser
What is C: Person who uses drugs?
(“Person who uses drugs” focuses on the individual, not the behavior. People-first language reduces shame and supports dignity. )
Which group provides peer support for those recovering from substance use?

A) Narcotics Anonymous

B) Alcohol Education Network

C) Alateen
D) The Health Maintenance Council

What is A: Narcotics Anonymous?
True or False: It is safer to drink alcohol in small, controlled amounts over time rather than binge drinking.
A) True
B) False
What is A: True?
Which drug is most commonly associated with severe tooth decay and "meth mouth"?
A) Cocaine
B) Methamphetamine
C) Alcohol
D) Ecstasy
What is B: Methamphetamine?
(Methamphetamine can cause dry mouth, teeth grinding, poor hygiene, and sugar cravings, all of which lead to dental decay.)
Which hotline can you call 24/7 for free support with mental health or substance use concerns?
A) 211
B) 988
C) 101
D) 800
What is B: 988?
What’s a better alternative to saying “clean” when someone hasn’t used substances?
A) Pure
B) Not dirty
C) Sober or not using
D) Pristine
What is C: Sober or not using?
(Saying someone is “clean” implies that people who use drugs are “dirty.” Terms like “not using” or “in recovery” are more respectful and accurate.)
Which law protects confidentiality in addiction treatment programs?
A) HIPAA
B) ADA
C) FDA
D) FMLA
True or False: You can be arrested for helping someone during an overdose.
A) True
B) False
What is B: False?
(In States with Good Samaritian Laws)
Which drug is most likely to cause irregular heartbeat or heart attack, even in young people?
A) Heroin
B) Cannabis
C) Cocaine
D) Xanax
What is C: Cocaine?
(Cocaine is a stimulant that constricts blood vessels, raises blood pressure, and can trigger heart attacks or strokes.)
Which is a valid reason to reach out for support around substance use?
A) You want someone to fix everything for you
B) You want to prove to someone that you’re “fine”
C) You're being pressured by someone else
D) You want to try out a new treatment even if you're not ready to quit completely
What is D: You want to try out a new treatment even if you're not ready to quit completely?
Why should we avoid using words like “junkie” or “crackhead”?
A) They’re outdated slang
B) They make people laugh
C) They reinforce harmful stereotypes
D) Everyone uses them anyway
What is C: They reinforce harmful stereotypes?
(Stigmatizing labels can lead to shame, isolation, and barriers to care. Respectful language encourages people to seek help if they want it.)
Which of these is a type of addiction treatment program?
A) Inpatient
B) Outpatient
C) Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
D) All of the above
True or False: All drug use is automatically addiction.
A) True
B) False
What is B: False?
Injecting drugs can damage veins and increase the risk of:
A) Tooth loss
B) Poor vision
C) Heartburn
D) Blood clots and infections
What is D: Blood clots and infections?
(Repeated injecting can collapse veins and cause infections like endocarditis (heart lining infection) or clots.)
Which location is MOST likely to provide harm reduction services like clean syringes or naloxone?
A) Urgent Care Clinic
B) Syringe Exchange or Harm Reduction Center
C) Private Therapist’s Office
D) Emergency Room
What is B: Syringe Exchange or Harm Reduction Center?
Which term respects a person’s autonomy and choices around drug use?
A) Drug abuser
B) Substance user
C) Victim of addiction
D) Habitual user
What is B: Substance User?
(“Substance user” acknowledges behavior without moral judgment. It’s neutral and non-shaming.)
What’s the difference between detox and rehab?
A) Detox is for mental health, rehab is for drug use
B) Detox is the first stage to clear your body; rehab is ongoing treatment
C) Rehab comes before detox
D) They mean the same thing
What is B: Detox is the first stage to clear your body; rehab is ongoing treatment?
True or False: Your brain is still developing until about age 25.
A) True
B) False
What is A: True?
Why is dry mouth a problem for people who use certain substances?
A) It makes you sleepier
B) It leads to cavities and gum disease
C) It prevents intoxication
D) It helps detox the body
What is B: It leads to cavities and gum disease?
(Saliva protects teeth. Stimulants like meth or ecstasy often cause dry mouth, increasing dental decay.)
If you need emotional support or are in a crisis but can’t talk on the phone, what’s a national option you can text?
A) Text “SAFE” to 123456
B) Text “HELLO” to 741741
C) Text “HELP” to 144
D) Text “SOS” to 411411
What is B: Text “HELLO” to 741741?
Why does using non-stigmatizing language matter in harm reduction?
A) It sounds more professional
B) It protects public image
C) It helps build trust and encourages people to seek support
D) It prevents all drug use
What is C: It helps build trust and encourages people to seek support?
(Language shapes how people are treated. Respectful language makes harm reduction spaces more welcoming and safer for everyone.)
Which of the following statements is TRUE about addiction treatment?
A) You must be completely sober to get help
B) Everyone should go to rehab
C) People can define recovery in different ways
D) Only court-ordered treatment works
What is C: People can define recovery in different ways?
True or False: Fentanyl is an opioid.
A) True
B) False
What is A: True?
(Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is made entirely in a lab.)
Using high doses of stimulants (like cocaine or meth) can increase the risk of what serious brain issue?
A) Migraine
B) Memory loss
C) Stroke
D) Epilepsy
What is C: Stroke?
(Stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can burst a blood vessel or cause a clot, leading to stroke.)
Which group of people can ALL potentially be part of a strong harm reduction support system?
A) Counselors, family members, and recovery coaches
B) ONLY licensed therapists and doctors
C) Friends who never use substances
D) People in recovery
E) All of the above
What is E: All of the above?