National Day Without Stigma was started by the mental health group Active Minds and is dedicated to eliminating the shame and discrimination surrounding mental health disorders.
Eliminating stigma betters all of us. Changing the way we talk about substance use, mental health, and other stigmatizing topics means that every person will receive the care they need without the fear of stigma from others.
Addiction and Stigma
Addiction is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is not a matter of willpower or moral failing; it is a brain disorder. Addiction changes the brain’s structure and how it works in areas related to reward, motivation, and memory. These changes create a strong compulsion to seek and use substances despite harmful consequences.
People with substance use disorder deserve to access the care they need.
Stigma is a negative assumption about a person, or a group of people, based on a specific belief or behavior.1 Stigma affects everyone. A World Health Organization (WHO) study ranked substance use as the most stigmatized condition globally, with alcohol use fourth.2 Ending the stigma toward people experiencing addiction is more important now than ever, as the rates of substance use disorder and mental health concerns have risen dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.3,4 Social distancing measures have introduced additional barriers to receiving care for substance use and mental health concerns.
Driven by stereotypes about people with SUD: such as the perception they are dangerous, perceived moral failings, SUD is a choice rather than a disease.
Deters the public from wanting to pay for treatment and allows insurers to restrict coverage.
Restricts funding for research.
Internalized Stigma
Blame self, feel guilt, fear, adopt negative attitude towards themselves.
Leads to shame and isolation and potential for increased substance use.
Disengage from care and relationships, don’t seek treatment.
Clinical Provider Stigma
Belief that treatment is ineffective, impacts clinical care and treatment decisions.
Can lead to inadequate pain management, lack of caring conversation and relationship building, and premature discharge and neglect.
Recovery Community Stigma
Medications versus “abstinence,” belief that the person is not in recovery. There is evidence-based treatment for Opioid Use Disorder with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. Recovery and sobriety are two different things. Sobriety is the absence of any substances. Recovery is defined as a process of change through which individuals improve their physical, psychological, and social well-being, live a self-directed life and strive to reach their full potential.5
Lack of MOUD access and support leads to increased risk of overdose and death by up to 50%.
Lack of residential & 12 step programs that support people receiving MOUD.
Lack of support and treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
Voices of Resilience
Person in Recovery
Join Alex, a Person in Recovery, as she shares her story of OUD and her recovery journey, as well as her experiences with stigma from others.
Parent of Person in Recovery
Join Nancy, the Parent of a Person in Recovery, as she shares her experiences with OUD and the stigma her child faced while on their recovery journey.
How to Reduce Stigma
Reducing stigma is essential for fostering inclusive, understanding, and supportive communities. Whether the stigma revolves around mental health, substance use disorder, physical disabilities, racial and ethnic identities, or any other aspect of human diversity, taking active steps to mitigate it can lead to significant improvements in individual and societal well-being. Addressing stigma involves a multi-faceted approach that focuses on changing perceptions, policies, and behaviors. Through these efforts, we can create environments where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered. By exploring action steps to reduce stigma, we can identify practical strategies to promote empathy, awareness, and positive change in our broader society.
Self-Reflection and Awareness
Explore your own biases.
Education and Awareness
Embrace a harm reduction philosophy.
Cultivate Empathy and Compassion
Listen to lived experiences pf people in remission/recovery from SUD using multiple treatment pathways.
Use Stigma-Free Language
Use non-judgmental, person-first language.
Advocate for Stigma Reduction
Avoid lecturing or offering unsolicited advice, and instead, offer understanding and encouragement.
Policy and Legal Reform
Normalize evidence-based medication treatment.
Peer Support and Advocacy
Integrate peer recovery coaches into healthcare systems to harness the power of lived experience, bridging gaps between clinical treatment and real-life application.
Media Responsibility
Call for responsible representation of addiction and recovery in the media.
Community Engagement
Understand and treat addiction as a chronic disease.
Learn More
Interested in learning more about stigma and how we can work together to reduce it? Explore our Stigma Reduction Initiative page to learn important definitions, strategies, and ways our words matter.
Tsai, A.C., Kiang, M.V., Barnett, M.L., Beletsky, L., Keyes, K.M., McGinty, E.E., Smith, L.R., Strathdee, S.A., Wakeman, S.E., & Venkataramani, A.S. (2019). Stigma as a fundamental hindrance to the United States opioid overdose crisis response. PLoS Medicine, 16(11), 1-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002969
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Czeisler MÉ , Lane RI, Petrosky E, et al. Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1049–1057. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2024, September 5). Recovery and Recovery Support. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery
