The Open Notebook (16 May 2023)

Stories about substance use and addiction can be among the thorniest that science journalists encounter. By leaning too heavily on tragic narratives or buying into simplistic and damaging myths, stories can perpetuate stigma and downplay the real possibility of treatment and recovery. Journalists can help reverse this pattern in a number of ways, including using humanizing language, seeking sources with lived experience, and, when possible, framing stories around solutions and hope.