Stigma Reduction
Let's Talk about Stigma Reduction
Stigma reduction refers to the elimination of prejudice and discrimination against people with mental health and substance use disorders (SUD). When a disorder is stigmatized, people with that disorder are stigmatized. There is a misconception that these disorders only happen to people with “flawed character” or moral failure of some kind. In reality, these disorders can happen to anyone. Risk factors associated with these disorders – such as poverty, experiencing violence, or being from a marginalized group – are also heavily stigmatized.
According to the CDC, 1 in 7 Americans report experiencing SUD and 1 in 5 Americans experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Co-occuring mental health and substance use disorders are also common. These disorders are not rare, but neither is recovery. With proper support, all mental health disorders can be managed and anyone with SUD can recover.
Risk factors for substance use disorder and mental health disorders overlap. These include:
- Experiences of discrimination & marginalization
- Exposure to trauma
- Lack of access to treatment services
- Poverty and other social determinants of health
Promoting recovery should include addressing these underlying social determinants of health and promoting culturally responsive and trauma-informed treatment. Stigma reduction is an essential part of this.
The term “stigma” can be used to refer to a public, individual or systemic form of discrimination. Stigma refers to the negative stereotypes that people hold about mental illness and substance use disorders, as well as the discriminatory behaviors these negative stereotypes create.
Types of Stigma
Refers to stereotypes of people with behavioral health conditions. Belief in those stereotypes and actions taken in response can affect job prospects, housing decisions, even the quality of healthcare that they receive.
Exists in the policies, laws and practices that are based on negative stereotypes about people with mental health conditions or substance use problems.
Refers to the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that people have about their own condition.
Stigma and Substance Use Disorder
How Does Stigma Impact People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)?
Most adults who meet the criteria for SUD began using substances during their teen or young adult years. People may initially begin using drugs due to mental health issues, trauma, or when prescribed by a doctor. Whether or not someone develops SUD as a result of drug use is associated with their exposure to risk and protective factors.
The impact of stigma can be significant for individuals living with substance use disorders. It can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and self-stigma, which can make it harder for people to seek help, access treatment, and maintain recovery. Stigma can also make it harder for people to find and keep employment, housing, and social support. In fact, around 90 percent of people with SUD do not receive treatment.
- The stigma associated with SUDs can cause people to hide their drug use due to fear of shame or discrimination. This may cause them to avoid treatment altogether.
- It can lead to social isolation as friends and family avoid contact with individuals who have a substance use disorder because they fear being stigmatized themselves.
- Negative attitudes also impact access to medical services for people who do seek treatment: insurance may not cover SUD related healthcare, and fear of the legal system can make people hesitant to ask for help.
- Additionally, internalized stigma can drive people to use drugs. Studies show that internalized shame and feelings of failure increase drug use, not curb it.
Impact of Stigma on SUD Treatment
Stigma has been shown to cause poor health outcomes for PWUD because it reduces the overall accessibility and quality of care. This is particularly true for PWUD who are homeless, have a criminal record or experience discrimination due to their race, ethnicity or socio-economic status. According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) “Black people experience delays of up to five years in getting treatment for a substance use disorder compared to White people, and young Black people are less likely to be prescribed medication for opioid use disorder than their White peers.”
Stigma reduction among healthcare providers is important. If a healthcare provider is stigmatized towards PWUD, they may not offer the same level of care that other patients receive. According to a 2019 national survey, primary care providers understand opioid use disorder as a treatable condition but still held stigmatizing attitudes which decreased the quality of care they provided to patients.
Misconceptions about Medication Assisted Treatment also limit access to quality care. MAT is a treatment option that combines the use of medications such as methadone and buprenorphine with counseling and behavioral therapies. MAT is considered to be an effective treatment for opioid use disorder, but it is misunderstood as being a “replacement” for illicit drugs. To reduce stigma for MAT, it is important to educate the public about the safety and effectiveness of this option and to increase access to this vital treatment.
How Does Mental Health Intersect With SUD?
Individuals who experience a substance use disorder during their lives may also experience a co-occurring mental health disorder and vice versa.
- Common risk factors can contribute to both SUDs and other mental health disorders.
- Mental health disorders can contribute to substance use and SUDs.
- Substance use and SUDs can contribute to the development of other mental health disorders.
It is commonly hypothesized that individuals with severe, mild, or even subclinical mental health disorders may use drugs as a form of self-medication.
When an individual develops a mental health disorder, associated changes in brain activity may increase the vulnerability for problematic use of substances by enhancing their rewarding effects, reducing awareness of their negative effects, or alleviating the unpleasant symptoms of the mental disorder or the side effects of the medication used to treat it.
Stigma and Mental Health
Stigma causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control. Worst of all, stigma prevents people from seeking the help they need. For a group of people who already carry such a heavy burden, stigma is an unacceptable addition to their pain. And while stigma has reduced in recent years, the pace of progress has not been quick enough.
Research shows that knowing or having contact with someone with mental illness is one of the best ways to reduce stigma. Individuals speaking out and sharing their stories can have a positive impact. When we know someone with mental illness, it becomes less scary and more real and relatable.
Roughly 3 in 4 young teens seeking information online about depression said they were looking for personal anecdotes from people who had suffered in the past. This is why it is important to talk about Mental Health.
Strategies for Stigma Reduction
- Language: The way we talk about substance use disorders and mental illness can perpetuate stigma. It’s important to use person-first language, such as “a person with a substance use disorder” instead of “an addict.” Avoid using derogatory or stigmatizing language and instead use respectful and accurate language.
- Education: Education and awareness campaigns can help to increase knowledge and understanding about substance use disorders and mental illness, and to challenge stereotypes and prejudices. This can include providing information about the causes of these conditions, as well as the available treatment options.
- Systemic Change: Stigma reduction requires systemic change. This can include changing policies and practices that perpetuate discrimination and marginalization. For example, reducing barriers to substance use disorder and mental health treatment by increasing access to healthcare, and implementing policies that prevent discrimination in employment and housing.
Stigmatizing Language
Learning about stigmatizing language is an important part of stigma reduction. Research shows that using person- first and non-stigmatizing language is effective for stigma reduction. For example, calling someone a “drug abuser” or “junkie” perpetuates negative stereotypes, while using person-first language such as “person with substance use disorder” decreases stigma.
Curious about non-stigmatizing alternatives? Check out the Addictionary to learn more.
Awareness and Education
Education and awareness programs are vital to the reduction of stigma. They can help people understand that substance use and mental health disorders are not a choice, but rather a chronic condition which can be treated or managed.
Education programs can focus on raising awareness about these disorders in order to reduce the shame surrounding them. The goal is to dispel harmful myths or misconceptions about mental health and substance use disorders by providing accurate information on what they are and how they are treated.
Media campaigns are an effective way to raise awareness about a topic, especially when combined with other strategies. Media campaigns can also be used to change public perception of an issue or generate support for policy change.
Download MAT Myths vs. Facts PDF here
Policy
If we’re going to reduce stigma, then we must also:
- Develop policies and programs that help people with mental health and substance use disorders access the health care they need.
- Improve the quality of care provided in both public and private settings.
- Reduce discrimination against people with these disorders (ie. housing and employment discrimination)
The stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorder is pervasive, affecting not only those living with a diagnosis but also their families, friends and communities. The impacts of stigma on people living with a substance use disorder are significant; it can interfere with accessing health care services, lead to poorer health outcomes and prevent individuals from having a strong support system. Stigma reduction efforts are critical for the success of any organization’s harm reduction or recovery programs.
Local Resources
Contra Costa Health Services has a 24-hour Behavioral Health Access Line that can be used to locate mental health and substance use services.
Call toll-free 1-888-678-7277
Contra Costa Behavioral Health, in partnership with consumers, families, staff, and community-based agencies, provides welcoming, integrated services for mental health, substance abuse, and other needs that promote wellness, recovery and resiliency while respecting the complexity and diversity of the people served.
BAART Programs began providing drug treatment services to several hundred heroin users in San Francisco in 1977. Today, BAART Programs is a multi-site, multi-service organization, with over 40 years of experience providing opioid use disorder treatment and supportive recovery services to patients across the country.
Since 1975, La Familia has served thousands of San Francisco Bay Area residents. They envision healthy, prosperous, and safe communities for all and work hard to make this a reality. La Familia amplifies the voices of our community to fight for systems, policies, opportunities, and services that promote social and economic justice and improve the quality of life for all.
Access social service and health information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the three digit, toll-free number “211” from any phone. Nearly 700 agencies and organizations contribute to provide more than 1,600 services and programs to County residents in need via the 211 database.
National Resources
