Stigma Reduction

Supporting people living with substance use disorder and their families in the best way possible requires that as a community we reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder (and cooccurring mental health disorders) and approach the treatment of such as we do other health conditions. We need to share information about signs of addiction, overdose prevention and treatment resources in ways that reduce shame and promote health and wellness.

 

The Overdose Action Team is studying the science and best practices about stigma reduction. The Team is working on shifting the culture and language within the community at large and within the medical community so that we speak and react to substance use disorder just as we do other health conditions.