END STIGMA

Self-Stigma

• Occurs when someone internalizes negative messages about people who use drugs and applies them to themselves.
• Can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of shame.
• Can prevent someone from seeking help out of fear of being judged or discriminated against.
• Can lead someone to hide their drug use or use drugs alone.

Social Stigma

• Negative attitudes or behaviors toward people who use drugs or their friends and family members.
• Negative labels and images in everyday conversation and the media.
• Talking about addiction as if it's a choice.
• Judgment and discrimination from others can lead to self-stigma and cause harm, such as not seeking help or using drugs alone.

Organizational Stigma

• Health and social service policies that contribute to stigmatization if they withhold services until drug use is better managed.
• If healthcare professionals do not take people affected by drug use seriously.
• If workplace policies cause harm and inadvertently encourage people to hide their drug use or prevent them from seeking assistance; (for example unnecessary drug tests.)
• Failing to connect individuals with health or social services due to their drug use and providing substandard care when services are accessed.