Navigating the Stigma of Prescription Drug Misuse
As a service member it’s important that you serve at your best to protect yourself and your team. Misusing prescription drugs can jeopardize that mission. It can also lead to a substance use disorder (SUD). Despite being chronic, treatable medical conditions, SUDs are often misunderstood, which can lead to discrimination and stigma around seeking help. Many people are unaware that SUDs are not about a lack of willpower. SUDs result from brain changes that make drug use difficult to stop without support. More serious SUDs can lead to behaviors like aggression, lying or stealing, which may further isolate individuals from their social circles and reinforce negative stereotypes. It is important to be aware of the signs of a substance use disorder not only for yourself, but also to prevent prescription drug misuse among your friends and loved ones.
While genetics and peer influences can increase susceptibility to SUDs, addiction is often viewed as a personal or moral failing. This perception can lead to fear and anger towards individuals with SUDs from friends and family, making it challenging to see and support the person behind the illness.
Ways Stigma Impacts People Who are Misusing Drugs
- Prevents People from Seeking Treatment
People often avoid seeking help from a healthcare professional because they are fearful of being judged. - People are Fearful of Disclosing their Substance Use
Hiding substance use in medical settings due to fear of bias can lead to missed care opportunities, such as drug interaction guidance and screenings for related conditions, with pregnant women particularly avoiding disclosure due to shame and fear of losing parental rights. - Reduced Access to Health Programs
Needle exchange programs connect people to addiction treatment and reduce health risks like HIV and hepatitis, but some avoid them due to fear of judgment from police, friends, family and healthcare workers. - Increase in Substance Use
People with substance use disorders often feel guilty and blame themselves, adopting negative views about their condition, which can lead to shame and isolation, and may drive them to continue using drugs.
How Can Stigma be Addressed?
- Substance use disorders are chronic, treatable medical conditions that require compassion and respect, not blame. Recognize that addiction is a health condition not a personal failure. If someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, treat them with respect and see them as a person rather than their addiction.
- Use non-stigmatizing language. Using person-first language shows that drug misuse is an illness rather than blaming the individual as the problem.
- Instead of calling someone an addict, junkie or user, use person-first language such as:
- Person with a substance use disorder.
- Person with alcohol use disorder.
- Rather than saying someone is a former addict or reformed addict, use:
- Person in recovery.
- Person who previously used drugs.
- Instead of saying someone failed a drug test or is dirty, use:
- Tested positive on a drug screening.
- Instead of calling someone an addict, junkie or user, use person-first language such as:
If someone in your social circle has a substance use disorder, encourage them to seek help and support them in their recovery journey
Reducing stigma related to drug use is important because it creates a supportive environment for warfighters who may be dealing with substance use disorders to seek treatment without fear of judgment or discrimination and ensure mission readiness.