Is it rude or inconsiderate to label a person, a drunk, a dope-head, etc. ?

It’s certainly a derogatory way to refer to an alcoholic, but it’s also not really fair to excuse unsavory behavior that can be modified. An alcoholic or person with ADD who doesn’t actively try to improve themselves may warrant some scorn from others.

@le_inferno oh, i’ve no idea if the guy was rude or had a disorder. You could be correct…i don’t know.

I think harsh words are not neccessary, but, some of the things that people do when under the influence are worthy of a bad name. lol

It’s a sad situaton for all involved with serious substance abusers.

My ex husband was an alcoholic to a large degree I believe, some of his stupidity was hard to take.

I agree about the dependancy but I am not really comfortable calling it a disease.

I know it is labeled such because it is a progressive condition, and can kill you if untreated.

On the other hand, it seems to imply that an alcoholic is not responsable for their actions as well.

I am on the fence with this one.

@Coloma well, when you are the receiver of a person with an alcohol problem, it is hard to be compassionate. Certainly understand your reluctance on this one.

I think it is. Like @Coloma, I’m on the fence about what’s an addiction and what’s a disease especially having lived with several types of substance abusers. One partner tried to make light of his circumstances one day by saying, “I’m a drunk, I’ll always be a drunk” and I remember hating the sound of it.

I’m not sure if this is rude since most labeled people I know are careless about how people label them. I’m think more about how those labeling words refer one to something not to deliberately insult them. i.e. For me a drunker means someone who love to drink alcoholic liquors,I do not to justify their action as bad behavior.

Heaping scorn on any persons addicted to anything is wrong, whether they’re trying to “improve” themselves or not. Who are we to judge that? Nor is there any reason to wonder if any derogatory name is rude. It’s rude and unkind by definition.

@Austinlad Amen Brother….well said my friend.

I think it is ignorant and insensitive to use labels of any kind. An alcoholic can be sober for years and still be an alcoholic. Someone who is inebriated may be drunk but does that person deserve a derogatory label?? I think anyone who is that quick to judge anyone deserves the title of shallow!

I prefer wasted to drunk…wasted sounds like they had a lot more fun getting there!

@Austinlad Remind me why it’s ok to allow a substance to take over your life and change who you are in negative ways? Remind me why it’s ok to not be proactive about surpassing addiction and getting yourself back on track? I’m not saying that alcoholics deserved to be called names, but I don’t think anyone in their right mind would support their behavior. Addiction can be conquered; letting it conquer you isn’t ok.

is my being rude to the person I label…also an illness? Can I get a mulligan on that as well?

Wiki

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence,[1][2] is a disabling addictive disorder. It is characterized by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol despite its negative effects on the drinker’s health, relationships, and social standing. Like other drug addictions, alcoholism is medically defined as a treatable disease.

@le_inferno it is not okay, but not everyone is strong person. Some people cannot handle the pains of this World. By using drugs, alcohol etc., it allows them to cope. So my philosophy, I love the person, but disagree with their lifestyle.

@talljasperman lmao….damn right…you have a mulligan! That was pretty cool!

Labels are useless and the professors have come up with new ones the last 3 decades. In the 50s, family were close-knit, while now they are co-dependent. Dysfunction.

We are all people with weaknesses and vulnerabilities. I got some ADD. I’m a hippie. but i’m just me. we just have to deal with it. i got some good qualities too. It balances out, I guess.

hell no they choose to get high and drink, they can go beeeeeep themselves

I don’t believe it’s necessary to use deragatory terms to describe alcoholics, drug addicts or anyone else for that matter. However, people should be called on their behaviours regardless. I don’t believe that addiction is a disease.

Thank you whoever lurves me!

I think we should use the terms medical doctors use. I think “substance abuser” would be appropriate. They wouldn’t use a description with the word, “issues” in it. I am so sick of “issues.”

the people who do the name calling are probably doing so because they have had a bad experience with a person with a dependency, possibly after the umpteenth time the person has done something that resulted in a bad outcome that probably would not have happened if the person was straight. Like someone who smokes pot all the time and they do seemingly bizarre or even stupid things that may bring embarrassment, like always losing their wallet, keys or just forgetting important things to the point they make themselves a burden which could cause others to always catch their fall. This will only encourage the behavior when the user understands someone will pick up their slack. There is a valid reason why many employers do drug and alcohol screening to job applicants. The truth is, people who smoke too much dope or drink too much spirits are a pain in the ass.

Nope.

Can’t think of a better way to be straight up with a drunk, a dope-head, etc.

I remember a time in my life when I frequented a bar. One evening a friend and I were in there and I looked over and saw a guy I had seen in there before.. I commented to my friend that he must have a drinking problem as he was always in there when I was…...I didn’t think I had a drinking problem and would have been upset if someone thought I was a drunk!

you would be surprised to know what kinds of people do drugs. Cops, lawyers, doctors, lots of prominent professions imbibe. The trick there is to not let it get out of hand and to keep themselves as functioning druggies.They can and do, go on for years or maybe decades as long as they are smart about it. Rush Limbaugh broke the rules of “prominent people doing drugs society”. So he is one individual I call dope head as well as hypocrite.