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Topic: Stigma Reduction

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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.

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.

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.