Stop the Stigma

Anyone can become dependent on drugs and struggle with opioid substance use.

Family, friends, and the public often have negative feelings about drug use or behavior. Opioid substance use is not a moral failing and we need to remember that we can all change the conversation and decrease the stigma around drug use and opioid substance use. People with a substance use disorder have a chronic disease of the brain that can be successfully treated, but stigma negatively impacts a person’s willingness to get treatment or health care and can cause significant self-esteem and mental health issue.

No one likes to feel judged or devalued. We must reduce the stigma to encourage people to ask for help and recovery.

• Offer compassionate support.
• Display kindness to people in vulnerable situations.
• Listen while withholding judgment.
• See a person for who they are, not what drugs they use.
• Learn about how drug dependency works.
• Treat people with drug dependency with dignity and respect.
• Avoid hurtful labels.
• Replace negative attitudes with evidence-based facts.
• Speak up when you see someone mistreated because of their drug use.