Stigma around drug use

About stigma

Overdose-related deaths and other harms are affecting our friends, families and communities. Addiction is not a choice. It is a treatable medical condition yet many people affected by addiction face stigma.

Stigma is negative attitudes, beliefs or behaviours about or towards a group of people because of their situation in life. It includes discrimination, prejudice, judgment and stereotypes, which can isolate people who use drugs.

Stigma makes it harder to reach out for help

We can make it easier for people to get support by letting them know they are not alone, and that substance use does not define who they are. Addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a choice.

Help end the stigma

Stigma matters

People who use drugs, especially those struggling with addiction face discrimination and barriers to getting help.

Stigma can:

lead a person to avoid getting help because they are afraid of judgement or getting in trouble with work, their loved ones or even the law
cause a person to hide their drug use or use drugs alone
affect a person's ability to find housing and jobs, which affects their health and quality of life
contribute to people who use drugs receiving a lower quality of care from the healthcare system when they access services

Addiction is not a choice

There is a common misconception that addiction is a choice and that people can stop using drugs when they want to. Addiction is complex. People develop addictions because of many reasons, including:

events in life, especially trauma and chronic stress
environmental factors
mental well-being (emotions, thoughts, feelings, and mental illness)
genetics and biology

Some people try drugs once or use them occasionally. Others use drugs more often, sometimes to try to cope with trauma or pain. No matter the reason, no one chooses to become addicted. Addiction and physical dependence make it hard to stop using drugs even when it's hurting you or people in your life. Recovery is possible but it looks different for everyone.

The three types of stigma

Self stigma

happens when someone internalizes negative messages about people who use drugs and apply them to themselves
can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of shame
can cause someone to not access support because they fear being judged or discriminated against
can cause someone to hide their drug use or use drugs alone

Social stigma

negative attitudes or behaviours towards people who use drugs or towards their friends and family members
negative labels and images in everyday conversation and in the media
talking about addiction like it's a choice
judgement and discrimination from other people can lead to self stigma, and cause harm such as not reaching out for help or using drugs alone

Structural stigma

policies in health and social services that increase stigma, such as not providing services until drug use is better managed
when healthcare providers or first responders do not take people affected by drug use seriously
workplace policies that cause harm and unintentionally encourage people to hide their drug use or prevent them from seeking help (example: unnecessary drug tests)
not connecting people with health or social services because of their drug use and lower quality of care when services are accessed

Changing how you talk about drug use

The language you use has a direct and deep impact on people around you. You can reduce stigma by changing the words you use to talk about drug use. Using kind words can make it easier for someone to speak up, to feel understood or to receive help.

You can:

use person-first language, for example say 'person who uses drugs' instead of 'drug user'
use neutral, medically accurate words when describing drug use
avoid slang such as "addict" and "junkie"
use language that shows care and concern, rather than judgement
speak up when you hear someone being treated or talked to in a disrespectful way
use language that acknowledges and promotes the fact that recovery from addiction is possible, and looks different for everyone

Help end stigma

Take these important steps to help reduce stigma:

do not define any person by their drug use
be respectful, compassionate and caring to those who use drugs
educate your friends and family - pass on facts and challenge stereotypes
remember that addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a choice, and is deserving of care just like any other medical condition
be aware of your attitudes and behaviours because they may be influenced by stereotypes, negative stories and images about people who use drugs

Learn how to talk to a friend or family member about drugs.

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Date modified:: 2024-04-22

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