Drug and alcohol stigma does happen and does have consequences.
Stigma is when a person, or group of people, are seen in a negative way or myths are believed about them. This may be because of a particular characteristic such as a disability, mental health condition or drug and alcohol use.
Drug and alcohol stigma:
People struggling with an alcohol or drug problem should get the same support and treatment as those with any other health condition. This should be without fear of judgement.
Together we can end the stigma around drug and alcohol use. We can do this by having a kinder approach to those affected by problem substance use. This should focus on understanding, hope and kindness.
Stigma happens when a person is revealed to be, or is thought to be, a member of a particular group that is seen in a negative way. This might be the result of:
Substance use has been seen as a lifestyle choice or the result of poor decisions. It’s also been described or viewed as a mistake or the result of moral weakness. This is stigmatising and unhelpful. It shows a connection between drug or alcohol use and personal failings. This allows substance use to be linked to character or morals. Viewing this as just a personal issue adds to stigma.
To help support all staff tackle drug stigma, the NHSGGC Stigma Action Group have created “Tackling Stigma is Everyone’s Business” – a framing document tool for talking about drugs and tackling stigma. Recognising stigma is the first step towards tackling it. We don’t all need to be experts, but by understanding our own role, approaching interactions with kindness and compassion and knowing the basics, we can tackle stigma effectively.
The framing document:
You can access and download “Tackling Drug Stigma is Everyone’s Business” here. The Stigma Action Group are also working on a drug stigma awareness workshop, tools to support stigma free conversations, and videos which will be available soon.
The Inverclyde Challenge Stigma Training Programme is a collaborative piece of work hosted by CVS Inverclyde’s Resilience Network and is being developed with professionals from all sectors, people with lived experience and the general public.
Stigma causes harm to people’s mental health and the quality of life within our communities. The co-creation of the modules within the training programme is essential. Stigma is a community problem that requires a community solution.
Inverclyde Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) provided funding for the module on the stigma experienced by people with problematic drug and alcohol use and their families.
The working group included people with lived and living experience of addiction, a family member of someone with problematic drug use, third sector organisations and public sector partners. We sat around the table as equals and our collective experience created a module that explores the stigma people experience, how that stigma impacts them, the power of language and stigma and how to challenge stigma with kindness and compassion.
The Just One Word video is part of that training. We asked people across Inverclyde to tell us the one word that captures what recovery means to them. What they told us says everything about Inverclyde’s approach to drug and alcohol recovery.
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