Through a resolution at the NMA's 2018 House of Delegates, the NMA is working to destigmatize addiction and Substance Use Disorders through use of proper terminology.

The resolution, authored by NMA member Alёna A. Balasanova, MD, FAPA, was introduced on behalf of the Metro Omaha Medical Society.

Resolved in the resolution was that the NMA use clinically accurate, non-stigmatizing terminology (substance use disorder, substance misuse, recovery, negative/positive urine screen) in all discussions, resolutions, reports, and educational materials regarding substance use and addiction, and that the Nebraska Medical Association encourage the use of patient-first language (patient with a substance use disorder, patient in recovery) in all internal and external communications regarding patients affected by substance use, and discourage the use of stigmatizing terms including substance abuse, drug abuser, addict, alcoholic, clean and dirty.

The NMA encourages the use of clinically accurate terminology in treating patients with substance use disorders and encourages the adoption of non-stigmatizing and patient-first language throughout the state agencies of Nebraska.