two men staring at each other seated across a table

The stigma surrounding substance use disorder is deeply entrenched and serves as a barrier to help-seeking for substance use disorder and open conversations on the topic.

Stigma is commonly broken into three categories: 1) social stigma; 2) self-stigma; and, 3) structural stigma.

Social Stigma

Social stigma is reflected in negative stereotypes about members or perceived members of a group that is perceived to have socially undesirable characteristics. Social stigma serves to distance or exclude such groups. It is based on misunderstanding, partial truths, and generalizations and assigns members of a group with an undesirable label, or social identity. For example, people with or in recovery from substance use disorder may be labeled as “addicts” and “alcoholics” and perceived as untrustworthy, deceitful, dangerous, or lacking in willpower or character. Additionally, people taking medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder can be further stigmatized through common misperceptions that taking medications is replacing one addiction for another, that their medication is simply a crutch, or the belief that true recovery can only take place without medications. For a better understanding of recovery, see the working definition of recovery developed in 2010.

Self-Stigma

Self-stigma occurs when members of a stigmatized group come to believe negative stereotypes about themselves. Among people with substance use disorder this can lead to feel shame, fear of asking for help, and what has been called the “why try effect,” the belief that there is no point in seeking help because one is fundamentally flawed and hopeless or because the barriers to recovery seem too great to overcome.1

Structural Stigma

Structural stigma is defined as punitive or discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that negatively affect the stigmatized group. These three forms of stigma overlap and reinforce one another with sometimes devastating impacts on people with or in recovery from substance use disorders and other stigmatized groups.

Employers’ Role in Addressing Stigma

While addressing stigma in the workplace my seem daunting, there are steps employers can take to reduce the stigma and misunderstanding that can undermine efforts to become a recovery-ready workplace. Here are three steps you can take:

  1. Use neutral, person-first language: Examine the terminology and framing used in your company’s documents, communications, policies, and informal discussions. What kinds of terms are used in relation substance use disorder, treatment, and recovery? Research shows that the use of terms such as “addict,” “abuse” and “clean” or “dirty” (in reference to a drug screening result or a person) can affect perceptions and judgments about people with substance use disorder. The effect of stigmatizing terminology is invisible to the people whose perceptions and judgments it affects. People are not defined by the health conditions they may have. By adopting neutral, science-based language and person-first framings (as in “person with a substance use disorder”) organizations can help reduce stigma and build a healthier, more welcoming workplace. For more information, see Selected Resources below.
  2. Educate your companies leadership, management, and staff on substance use, stigma, language and their impact. You can find more information on this topic in Selected Resources, below.
  3. Make recovery a reality through contact with people in recovery. Exposure to members of a stigmatized group is one of the most effective stigma reduction strategies. People who are openly in recovery can help dispel myths, misperceptions, stigmas and fears demonstrating that recovery is possible and substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life, from leaders and managers to line staff. Recovering employees can be instrumental in reducing stigma and hesitance about seeking help. However, they should only speak openly about their recovery if they are comfortable doing so. As an alternative, you can reach out to the local recovery community for volunteers.

1 Corrigan PW, Larson JE, RÜSch N. Self-stigma and the “why try” effect: impact on life goals and evidence-based practices. World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):75-81.

2 Kelly JF, Westerhoff CM. Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. Int J Drug Policy. 2010;21(3):202-207.