|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Opioid use disorder (OUD) has ravaged the country for the past decade, claiming 220 lives a day and leaving its distinct mark on individuals, families, and communities. This serious public health emergency has continued to affect Alameda County since the first wave in the 1990s.
Despite increased efforts to battle the opioid crisis, progress has been inhibited by several factors, the one most prevalent being the stigma surrounding the disorder.
“People with opioid use disorders are often perceived as dangerous and unpredictable, subject to high levels of social exclusion, and may be considered unworthy of receiving government assistance with food or housing,” reported a study published in 2019 in PLOS Medicine.
Stigma refers to a negative perception associated with a certain group or characteristic. According to the PLOS report, illicit substance use disorders are the most stigmatized health conditions worldwide as people are likely to view those suffering from this disorder as “weak’ or of “poor character.”
“The large segment of Americans who view opioid addiction as caused by poor personal choices are often unwilling to support allocation of resources toward policies and programs that help people with opioid addiction,” stated a Johns Hopkins article.
The stigma attached to opioid addiction is detrimental because it creates barriers in the criminal justice system, makes recovery resources less available and accessible, and decreases patient self-efficacy and engagement during treatment.
Although the number of opioid-related deaths in Alameda County has been relatively low, the stigma associated with addiction lingers. According to a case study done by New America, the relatively low death rates give residents the impression that the opioid crisis is not a pressing issue and can thus be ignored.
“Local coalitions are trying to change this perception by increasing awareness of opioid use, reducing the number of opioid prescriptions given in the county, and increasing access to naloxone,” the New America case study says.
Although the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder is deeply and subconsciously ingrained in society, there are several ways the public can combat this mindset.
Firstly, communication about OUD should center on person-first language, societal causes, and hope-driven solutions. Research shows that replacing terms such as “addict” and “abuser” with phrases with a more neutral connotation are effective in reducing stigma.
Additionally, messages should stress external factors like injury or overprescription that lead to addiction to avoid individual blame. Acknowledging the human narrative behind the struggle while sharing evidence-based solutions that treatment works helps build support for treatment.
By shifting the conversation to compassion, understanding and recovery, Alameda County can begin to dismantle stigma and create meaningful change for those in need.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
