Addressing the Stigma Around Substance Use Disorders

Research has found that individuals who experience stigma due to substance use disorders (SUDs) are more likely to continue engaging in substance use and manifest greater delayed treatment access and higher dropout rates. Stigma prevents struggling people from reaching out for help and isolates families affected by the disease who fear being judged by their communities. The public and many professionals continue to view SUDs as a moral failing, reinforcing discriminatory policies and practices and further isolating and deters those struggling to seek help.

This session will provide an overview of the manifestations of stigma, the latest research on addiction stigma, and effective interventions to reduce stigma in communities. The training was developed by the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN), part of the Helping to End Addiction Long-term℠ Initiative at the NIH.