Stigma - What is it?
Stigma can be defined as a mark of shame or an identifying mark or characteristic.
What stigmas do people with substance-related disorders face?
Family & Friends
Community & Society
Health & Social Service Workers
Law Enforcement
Landlords/Housing Providers
Teachers & Employers
- The largest source of stigma and discrimination resulting in the most negative impact.
- Individuals feel cut off from family, do not feel as if they have support, and feel as if they are being judged on their character and behavior.
- The family and friends may be the only ones who know about the substance abuse or the full extent of the substance abuse.
- Individuals have lost friends because of substance abuse.
Community & Society
- Individuals feel as if it is socially acceptable to discriminate against people with substance related disorders.
- Individuals feel, because of their substance disorders, they would not receive the same opportunities as other individuals without these disorders
Health & Social Service Workers
- Individuals with substance related disorders do not receive the same level of health care as others. Often it is assumed they are seeking drugs, even when they are ill. Because of these negative experiences, often these individuals do not seek help.
- Individuals do not feel in control of their finances, shelter, and other basic needs because of discrimination.
Law Enforcement
- Individuals are profiled and feel targeted by law enforcement
Landlords/Housing Providers
- Individuals have difficulty finding housing, and feel discriminated against by landowners.
- Often their applications are rejected or are later evicted for substance abuse.
Teachers & Employers
- Individuals feel threatened by teachers and employers because of threat of expulsion or termination.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF STIGMAS
- Negative self-esteem
- Prevents individuals from seeking help
References
Dictionary: Stigma. (2012). Merriam-webster. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma
Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel. (2010). Stigma, Discrimination & Substance Use: Experiences of people who use alcohol and other drugs in Toronto. [Brochure]. Retrieved on November 14, 2012 from http://www.toronto.ca/health/drugstrategy/pdf/stigma_discrim.pdf
** SEE COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST UNDER MORE>INFORMATION SOURCES.
Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel. (2010). Stigma, Discrimination & Substance Use: Experiences of people who use alcohol and other drugs in Toronto. [Brochure]. Retrieved on November 14, 2012 from http://www.toronto.ca/health/drugstrategy/pdf/stigma_discrim.pdf
** SEE COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST UNDER MORE>INFORMATION SOURCES.
This page was last updated November 19, 2012.