Stop the Stigma

Anyone can become dependent on drugs and struggle with addiction.

Family, friends, and the public often have negative feelings about drug use or behavior. Addiction is not a moral failing and we need to remember that we can all change the conversation and decrease the stigma around drug use and addiction. People with a substance use disorder have a chronic disease of the brain that can be successfully treated, but stigma negatively impacts a person’s willingness to get treatment or health care and can cause significant self-esteem and mental health issue.

No one likes to feel judged or devalued. We must reduce the stigma to encourage people to ask for help and recovery.

• Offer compassionate support.
• Display kindness to people in vulnerable situations.
• Listen while withholding judgment.
• See a person for who they are, not what drugs they use.
• Learn about how drug dependency works.
• Treat people with drug dependency with dignity and respect.
• Avoid hurtful labels.
• Replace negative attitudes with evidence-based facts.
• Speak up when you see someone mistreated because of their drug use.