WHAT IS IT?
Stigma refers to negative attitudes (prejudice) and negative behavior (discrimination) toward people with substance use and mental health problems.
Prejudice + Discrimination=Stigma
Drug-related stigma is very common.
Widely held ideas about people who use drugs are not often challenged. In the media, in our families, in our communities – negative stereotypes and labels about people who use drugs are everywhere.
World Health Organization (WHO) study showed drug addiction as the most stigmatized behavior.
For drug users – stigma affects their relationships with families, employers, educators, health care providers, landlords and perhaps most deeply – themselves. Someone doesn’t have to directly impose stigma for it to exist - because of the internalization of stigma, consequences can occur simply from the anticipation of stigma and judgment.
People who use drugs may not feel able to open up about their drug use with health care providers, simply because they have heard that they will not be treated the same. People who use drugs may not feel able to talk about their drug use after periods of abstinence, out of fear that stigma will return.
Drug-related stigma adds to other stigmas and prejudices (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, class, HIV status, incarceration history, etc).
Prejudice + Discrimination=Stigma
Drug-related stigma is very common.
Widely held ideas about people who use drugs are not often challenged. In the media, in our families, in our communities – negative stereotypes and labels about people who use drugs are everywhere.
World Health Organization (WHO) study showed drug addiction as the most stigmatized behavior.
For drug users – stigma affects their relationships with families, employers, educators, health care providers, landlords and perhaps most deeply – themselves. Someone doesn’t have to directly impose stigma for it to exist - because of the internalization of stigma, consequences can occur simply from the anticipation of stigma and judgment.
People who use drugs may not feel able to open up about their drug use with health care providers, simply because they have heard that they will not be treated the same. People who use drugs may not feel able to talk about their drug use after periods of abstinence, out of fear that stigma will return.
Drug-related stigma adds to other stigmas and prejudices (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, class, HIV status, incarceration history, etc).
IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
It is important to take a look at one’s own potential role in adding to drug-related stigma. By doing so, providers can develop new strategies for building more authentic and more productive relationships with clients.
Drug-related stigma leads to fear/anticipation of mistreatment, which can keep people who use drugs from accessing services. This can happen regardless of actual mistreatment.
Because stigma is so wide spread, the common experience for most people who use drugs is to remain guarded until trust is earned. If people who use drugs do not want to disclose drug use or potentially be identified as a person who uses drugs by accessing certain services, it has an impact on the effectiveness of prevention and treatment services.
People who use drugs may come to services feeling wary, unsure and sometimes defensive. It is important that service providers make an effort to develop rapport but also understand that it may some take time. Allowing participants to be open about their drug use is an important part of establishing rapport.
Reference-Understanding Drug-Related Stigma Tools for Better Practice and Social Change: Curriculum Outline for Trainers. Retrieved from: http://harmreduction.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/stigma-facilitators.pdf
Drug-related stigma leads to fear/anticipation of mistreatment, which can keep people who use drugs from accessing services. This can happen regardless of actual mistreatment.
Because stigma is so wide spread, the common experience for most people who use drugs is to remain guarded until trust is earned. If people who use drugs do not want to disclose drug use or potentially be identified as a person who uses drugs by accessing certain services, it has an impact on the effectiveness of prevention and treatment services.
People who use drugs may come to services feeling wary, unsure and sometimes defensive. It is important that service providers make an effort to develop rapport but also understand that it may some take time. Allowing participants to be open about their drug use is an important part of establishing rapport.
Reference-Understanding Drug-Related Stigma Tools for Better Practice and Social Change: Curriculum Outline for Trainers. Retrieved from: http://harmreduction.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/stigma-facilitators.pdf
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