title: Locking Away "Recidivism".
abstract: The etymology of the word recidivism is explored as is its use in the psychiatric literature and other areas. This paper revisits a proposal to stop using the word to describe hospital readmission and substance use relapse since the origin of the word and predominant meaning reflect crime and acts that offend society. Public policy makers and leaders should be careful to not misuse the word and unwittingly stigmatize persons with mental illness and substance use disorders.
authors: Division of Community Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, USA. ryan.peirson@wright.edu.|Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University, First Floor, East Medical Plaza, 627 S. Edwin C. Moses, Boulevard, Dayton, OH, 45417-1461, USA. ryan.peirson@wright.edu.
authors: Ryan P
authors: RP
authors: Peirson
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D003415:Crime; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011640:Public Policy; D000075665:Recidivism; D012008:Recurrence; D057545:Social Stigma; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Language; Re-admission; Recidivism; Relapse; Stigma