Find out how you can get past the stigma and make talking about opioids easier.
Many people hesitate to talk about opioids and seek help for themselves or others because of the stigma surrounding addiction and overdose. But asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a “problematic pattern of opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress.”1 Addiction and substance use disorders (SUD) are a treatable, chronic medical disease with complex interactions between brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.
OUD and SUD can cause people to use substances or take part in behaviors that become compulsive, despite harmful consequences.
Prevention efforts and treatment approaches for OUD/SUD are generally as successful as those for other chronic diseases.2
People with OUD/SUD need the same medical care as people with diabetes or heart disease.
People with OUD experience compulsive behaviors. These compulsions are urges to behave in a certain way that one can’t resist, especially against one’s conscious wishes. Opioid use disorder affects how the brain works.3
Opioids attack the brain’s reward pathways through the release of dopamine, and weaken the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making.
Using the natural processes that are used for learning, the brain preferentially focuses on and desires seeking out this substance.
The capacity to respond to other sources of reward is taken away, and the ability to make other choices is corrupted.
People with OUD have families, jobs, hobbies, and aspirations like anyone else. They have vast potential, dreams, and aspirations that extend beyond the challenges they may face with opioid use.
It’s vital to see anyone experiencing substance use as individuals full of promise, capable of learning, growing, and making positive changes.
By offering non-judgmental support and resources, we can help them navigate through struggles, reinforce their strengths, and foster their ability to build a bright and successful future.
It’s a very big deal with serious consequences. You may hear people laughing off taking pills or making jokes about overdose, but you may not realize that this can contribute to stigma by:
Jokes about drug use often rely on stereotypes that portray individuals who use drugs as morally weak, irresponsible, or dangerous. These stereotypes reinforce stigmatizing attitudes and contribute to the misconception that all people who use drugs fit these negative stereotypes.
Jokes about drug use can dehumanize individuals who struggle with substance use disorders, reducing them to the butt of a joke rather than acknowledging their humanity and dignity. This dehumanization further reinforces stigma by making it easier for society to dismiss or marginalize their struggles.
Drug addiction is a complex and serious health issue, but jokes about drug use can make it seem like not a big deal or minimize its impact. This can lead to a lack of understanding about the challenges faced by individuals with substance use disorders and hinder efforts to provide them with appropriate support and treatment.
Fear of judgment can prevent individuals who use drugs from seeking help or support for their addiction. When jokes about drug use contribute to stigma, they can make it even more difficult for people to reach out for assistance, perpetuating a cycle of shame and isolation.
Hearing jokes about drug use can also have a negative impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals struggling with substance use disorders. It can increase feelings of shame, guilt, and self-stigma, making it even harder for them to seek help or engage in recovery efforts.
It’s important to recognize the harmful effects of such jokes and to promote empathy, understanding, and support for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Talking honestly about drug use becomes easier when it is destigmatized. When people feel that they won’t be judged for discussing their experiences with drugs, it paves the way for more productive conversations about prevention, treatment, and support.
