The Stigma of Substance Use Disorders

Stigma and discrimination of people with substance use disorders (SUD) contribute massively to the harm done by their condition: stigma has negative effects on service engagement, life opportunities, and personal shame, both for those who struggle with substance abuse and their families. Overcoming the stigma of substance use disorders is essential to aid recovery in those with SUD. This book provides an in-depth understanding of the stigma of SUD, and proposes ways to overcome it in different settings from the criminal justice system to healthcare. Combining a multitude of viewpoints within a consistent theoretical framework, this book both summarizes the latest evidence and gives hands-on advice and future directions on how to combat the stigma of SUD. People with lived experience of SUD, advocates, family members, policy makers, providers and researchers in the field of addiction stigma will greatly benefit from reading this book.

Georg Schomerus is a full Professor of Psychiatry at Leipzig University. He has authored more than 200 peer reviewed papers, including on his award-winning pioneering research on the stigma of substance use disorders.

Patrick W. Corrigan is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology and principal investigator of the National Consortium on Stigma and Empowerment. He has written more than 450 peer-reviewed articles and is editor of Stigma and Health.