Stigma Reduction

Stigma is the shame or disgrace attached to something regarded as socially unacceptable, a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, a part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has released a few main points relating to substance abuse-related stigma:

  • “Addiction-related” stigma is a powerful, shame-based mark of disgrace and reproach.
  • Stigma is generated and perpetuated by prejudicial attitudes and beliefs.
  • Stigma promotes discrimination among individuals at risk for, experiencing, or in recovery from addiction, as well as individuals associated with them.
  • People with substance-abuse disorders and people in recovery are ostracized, discriminated against, and deprived of basic human rights.
  • Individuals who are stigmatized often internalize inappropriate attitudes and practices, making them part of their self-identity.

Substance use is sometimes thought to be a behavior or choice and is not considered to be a disease.  However, this thinking disregards the chemical and internal way drugs can alter the human brain. Because of this, people being labeled if they speak out about their drug use, and this may prevent them from seeking tools needed for pretreatment, treatment, and recovery. Stigma is also a barrier in wide spread naloxone, a life saving medication used to reverse opioid overdose.

Ways to Reduce Stigma

Those who face stigma have reported experiencing it from friends, family, healthcare workers, and those in the general public. However, we can help reduce stigma by:

  • Using people first language
  • Reaching out to those who may need help and providing encouragement and support
  • Educating ourselves and others on opioids, opioid use disorder, and the science behind addiction
  • Speaking up when you see someone being unfairly mistreated due to their substance use disorder
  • Listen to those who have experienced it first hand and respect their live experience and insight
  • Take a harm reduction approach to meet people where they are at and minimize risk.

Letting people be people is one of the things I cherish most about harm reduction.

Stigma Reduction Resources

Websites

Guiding Principles for Addressing the Stigma on Opioid Addiction

The webpage from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discusses the stigma surrounding opioid addiction, highlighting the negative public attitudes and misconceptions that hinder effective treatment and policy implementation. It offers evidence-based guiding principles to reduce stigma, such as using person-centered language, emphasizing societal causes of addiction, incorporating solution-oriented messages, and employing sympathetic narratives. The webpage aims to shift public perception and promote support for evidence-based interventions in addressing the opioid crisis.

Stigma Reduction

The CDC's webpage on stigma reduction provides information about the harmful effects of stigma on people with substance use disorders (SUDs) and emphasizes the importance of understanding addiction to better support those affected. It highlights the prevalence of stigma, its impact on treatment and prevention, and offers resources to educate and reduce stigma related to SUDs. The page also explores the overlap between substance use and mental health conditions, stressing the need for compassionate support and effective treatment options.

Tools & Resources

More resources will be added soon, please check back.

Posters & Infographics

More resources will be added soon, please check back.

Publications

More resources will be added soon, please check back.

Webinars & Online Learning

Current News & Research

The Impact of Stigma on People with Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Treatment, and Policy

Illicit drug use disorders are the most stigmatised health conditions worldwide, and stigma acts as a meaningful barrier to treatment entry and treatment provision. In the context of dramatically rising opioid-related harms, it is critical that we understand the drivers of stigma and how it affects opioid use disorder treatment and policy. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss how opioid-related stigma impacts treatment provision and harm reduction, and provide potential strategies to reduce stigma at a social and structural level.

Public stigma of opioid addiction

Public stigma of opioid addiction can impact service availability and access, as well affected individuals’ mental health and well-being. This study reports on the public’s attitudes toward opioid addiction from a statewide survey in Pennsylvania with an eye toward improving public health approaches.