"Relapser" → person who experienced a recurrence

Stigma-preferred language

Definition

Turning an event into a noun for a person implies it is what they are and what they will do again.

Preferred phrasing

person who has experienced a recurrence.

Source

Primary source for this whole section: https://www.recoveryanswers.org/addiction-ary/ Supporting: https://pttcnetwork.org/non-stigmatizing-language/ · https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/person-first-language-heroin-use-disorder/

Cite this

Betttr. ""Relapser" → person who experienced a recurrence." The Gambling Recovery Glossary. https://betttr.net/glossary/relapser/ (accessed 2026-09-20).

Last updated: 2026-09-20.

Corrections: support@betttr.net