JCOIN Research Update: Opioid Use Disorder Stigma, Discrimination, and Policy Attitudes in a National Sample of U.S. Young Adults
Stigma and attitudes about addiction contribute to the availability and accessibility of treatment for individuals with substance use disorders. A 2020 study from NORC at the University of Chicago and Indiana University sought to understand attitudes about opioid use disorder among 190 young adults aged 19-29 across the United States.
Key Findings:
- The study found that stigma is associated with higher levels of discrimination towards people with opioid use disorders (OUD).
- Stigma was also associated with less support for public health policies around addiction.
- Younger adults had lower levels of stigma than older counterparts.
- Those with lived experience, whether it be a history of opioid use or having a loved one with OUD, had lower levels of both stigma and discrimination.
Link to full study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33579622/
Dr. Bruce Taylor Presentation: Opioid Use Disorder Stigma, Discrimination and Policy Attitudes
