Stigma

A recent study, Stigmatizing Imagery For Substance Use Disorders: A Qualitative Exploration, explored the use of stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing imagery in the field of substance use disorders and law enforcement. While the discussion of stigmatizing language has been around, the discussion of stigmatizing imagery is important to have as it may have effects on treatment, recovery, and reintegration. The qualitative study interviewed people with lived substance use disorder experience who identified stigmatizing imagery and the possible implications it could have.

More than 450 clinicians and counselors in rural New England were surveyed about stigma as a barrier to treating patients for opioid used disorder (OUD) as well as practitioners’ beliefs about medications for OUD.  Over half (55 percent) ranked stigma as the highest barrier among other factors such as time and staffing, medication diversion, and organizational/clinic barriers.

OMNI Institute, in partnership with the JBS RCORP-TA team, created the Spring 2023 Data Learning Collaborative for all RCORP grant recipients. These sessions built the foundation for data learning, and we dove into data-related topics during each month’s skills-building session. 

The report provides key findings from the study assessing substance use and recovery stigma by healthcare workers, compared to non-healthcare workers. The stigma that is perceived by people who use drugs or are in recovery (PWUD/IR) was found to be a structural concern as a large population are opting out of going to the doctor, leaving them open to a variety of untreated illnesses.

The guide on People First Language can help when using respectful language and referring to people with disabilities, as enacted by the District of Columba on July 11, 2006. “People First Language” (PFL) puts the person before the disability, and describes what a person has, not who a person is. 

OMNI Institute, in partnership with the JBS RCORP-TA team, created the 2022-2023 RCORP-TA Data Learning Collaborative (LC) for grantees to come together and share knowledge, talk through challenges, and build relationships with one another. This LC will build upon the foundation established in the prior 2022 RCORP-TA Data Learning Collaborative.

More people are dying from overdose now than at any point in history. Individuals learned about three innovative communication campaigns that challenge stigma, center people who use drugs, and build support for harm reduction as a lifesaving strategy to reduce overdose deaths.

We began with a critical examination of the history of family separation in the US to lay the groundwork for a discussion of both provider and patient trust and mistrust. The stigma and discrimination that pregnant, postpartum, and parenting people with substance use disorder was explored. We concluded with concrete suggestions to improve provider wellness, child development, and community cohesion.

Stigma and bias among community members, health care providers, and even family members toward individuals with substance use disorder negatively affects the care provided to this population. Stigma prevents individuals from seeking treatment and continues to divide them from their families, their communities, and the evidence-based treatments available.

Opening and Welcome