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This stigma that exists towards individuals with a substance use disorder tends to manifest itself in the form of overt and/or covert, unintentional prejudice, discriminatory attitudes, behaviors, and misguided beliefs. Such stigmatization can have long-term detrimental effects on these individuals, some of which could make it a matter of their life or death. It impacts the ability of this huge population to receive proper treatment and healthcare. According to The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2017, 30.5 million Americans reported illicit drug use in the past month and 19.7 million had a substance use disorder in the past year. In 2017, 11.1 million Americans 12 years of age or older reported abuse of prescription opioids, 900,000 reported heroin use, and 2.1 million had an opioid disorder in the past year. 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2016 (Zwick, et al., 2020).
There is a new category of stigma known as an "intervention stigma,” which is based on healthcare treatments and procedures referred to as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). The National Institute of Health has benchmarked methadone and buprenorphine as the drug of choice in treating opioid use disorders. MAT stigma comes form misguided beliefs that a substance should not be used to treat a substance use disorder. As healthcare professionals are divided on this issue, it is essential to de-stigmatize not only the general publics perceived stigma, but particularly amongst healthcare professionals regarding this population with substance use disorders and other addictions. PROBLEM & POPULATION ABSRACT
A presentation was conducted for the staff at MUCCTC to increase their knowledge of substance use disorder and addiction stigma. The underlying stigma that effects this vulnerable population is linked to the quality of the treatment they receive. When addressing this stigma, a more user-friendly and empowering environment that is more conducive for individuals in this population is created. MUCCTC staff participated enthusiastically and through their feedback it was evident that their knowledge and awareness of this important issue was increased. INTERVENTION A multi-educational presentation was given on a Zoom platform to the MUCCTC clinicians, with the objective being to educate healthcare professionals as to the perceived stigma relating to substance use disorder and other addictions. The fact of the matter is that healthcare clinicians are merely a reflection in-and-of-themselves of this particular stigma, which is actually based on societal problem. IMPACT The feedback after the presentation revealed that MUCCTC colleagues attending the training increased their awareness of stigma related to substance use and addiction, that they learned more about MAT intervention stigma and that the language and specific words used with clients is critical in treatment. What can we do to alleviate this ongoing stigma problem? Answers: societal and particularly healthcare clinician education. Spread the word. Advocacy through policy change. ADVANCING SOCIAL JUSTICE
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HUMAN RIGHTS As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 25 states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and welfare including food, clothing, housing, healthcare, social services and the right to security in the event of unemployment due to circumstances beyond his control” (McPherson, n.d., p.26). As social workers it is our duty to provide and educate our clients with the best possible resources available and to advocate for them on their behalf. SITE OF INTERVENTION My project presentation was given to the staff at the Monmouth University Community Care Telehealth Clinic (MUCCTC). This clinic offers “free on-line counseling support to New Jersey residents 18 and over and is staffed by supervised social work graduate interns” (What is MUCCTC, 2022, p.1). MUCCTC is “built on the principles of collaboration and strengths-based counseling, and seeks to promote the emotional and mental well-being of the individuals served” (MUCCTC mission statement, 2022, p.1) THE STIGMA RELATED TO SUBSTANCE USE & ADDICTION
By: Amanda Ross Addressing stigma and health disparities. (2021, June 28). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved November 27, 2021, from https://www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions- education/words-matter-terms-to-use-avoid-when-talking-about-addiction/addressing-stigma-health-disparities
Article 25 - health. (2021). United Nations Human Rights Office of High Commissioner. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/ConventionRightsPersonsWithDisabilities.aspx#25
MUCCTC mission statement. (2022). monmouth.edu. Retrieved March 17, 2022, from https://www.monmouth.edu/school-of-social-work/mucctc/
McPherson, J. (2017). Article 25 changed my life: How the Universal Declaration of Human rights reframed my social work practice. REFLECTIONS, 22(2), 23-27.
Read the code of ethics. (2022). National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved March 26, 2022, from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
Zwick, J., Appleseth, H., & Arndt, S. (2020). Stigma: How it affects the substance use disorder patient. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 5(1).https://doi.org/ 10.1186/s13011-020- 00288-0 REFERENCES<br>
