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Stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, a person based on a negative stereotype. Stigma often affects how people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are treated, making it difficult for them to find jobs, places to live, and medical care. Even if unintentional, the hurtful words and actions of others can keep people who are struggling with OUD from getting help and staying in treatment for as long as they need it.
Stigma keeps people from getting the best possible care. The myth that OUD is a lack of willpower stops people from seeing their doctors and getting treatment that can help them rebuild their lives, relationships, and health.
Stigma harms well-being and quality of life. As a result of harmful attitudes and stereotypes, people with OUD often face devastating consequences like discrimination in employment, loss of housing, and poor treatment from health care professionals.
Stigma leads to overdose deaths. Fear of being judged or discriminated against can keep people from getting the help they need and increase their chances of dying from an overdose.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is not a choice. It’s a disease that can be treated.
Many Americans incorrectly view OUD as a moral weakness or character flaw. Stigma leads some people to believe that taking medicine for OUD is “replacing one drug for another” and "not real recovery". However, people who take FDA-approved medicines like buprenorphine (Suboxone®), methadone, and naltrexone (Vivitrol®) are more likely to stay in recovery and enjoy healthy, productive lives.
You can make a difference by creating a stigma-free environment in your family, community, workplace, and/or health care setting.
Aiming to improve education around OUD and reduce stigma, UNSHAME Kentucky is a public health campaign, funded by Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE) and run by Shatterproof. Get more information about the campaign and how to get involved through the button below.
To better inform communities facing the opioid crisis and reduce the stigma that surrounds it, the HEALing Community Study (HCS) developed free-to-download toolkits. An overview of the HCS communication campaigns, customizable templates for social media posts, campaign advertisements, printable dissemination materials, and more are available.