Your health matters. So does your voice.
Judgment-free care for people who use drugs.
Have you been judged before being heard?
Using drugs does not define who you are. Stigma can make it harder to seek support. You deserve clear information, a listening ear and respectful care, even if you do not want to or cannot change your drug use today.
Your story is more than drug use
A label such as “addict” does not describe your needs. You can ask to be treated as a person and for your concerns to be heard.
[3, 4]
Ask for help without judgment
Ask about harm reduction resources and health or social support. Help should focus on your needs, not reproaches.
[8]
You choose where to talk about your health
Ask what information the team needs and who can see it. Ask for a private place to talk about drug use or your health.
[3, 8]
Learn about the available options
You can ask about sterile injection supplies, overdose prevention, testing, or treatment. The offer depends on the service; ask for specific information.
[8]
Agree on a possible follow-up
Explain if the schedule, transportation or not having a telephone make it difficult to return. Ask for a next step that you can take.
[8]
If you are treated badly, seek support
A community organisation, harm reduction team, or a trusted person can help you think about what to do. Prioritize your safety.
[8]
A step that works for you.
You do not have to stop using drugs to deserve respect. Teams must also address barriers to your care.
You can say, "I need help with this, without being judged."
Sources and further information
- [3] SEISIDA · HIV-friendly words (2023) (opens another tab) ↗
Person-centered language, treatment preferences and consultation environment. Biomedical data are compared with WHO.
- [4] UNAIDS / UNAIDS · Terminology (2024) (opens another tab) ↗
Avoid labels, assumptions and stigmatizing language.
- [8] WHO / WHO · Key populations (2022) (opens another tab) ↗
Person-centered care and barrier reduction. Key populations does not equate to all stigma.info audiences.
Editorial adaptation of principles of dignity, communication and person-centered care. The phrases and questions are practical proposals, not literal quotes or a guarantee of specific services or rights. Results from the Spanish study on HIV are not generalized to this population.
Professional, community and language review pending.
Edition: 18/10/2026
Contact: Antonio Martín · MOBHOPE · antonio.martin@iisgm.com
Do not send diagnoses or personal documents to this address.
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