The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma

Background: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis. Among initiatives surrounding treatment and prevention, opioid use disorder (OUD) stigma has emerged as a subject for intervention. Objectives: This study examines overall results and demographic differences of three subscales of a public stigma survey instrument: general attitudes, social distance, and treatment availability and effectiveness. Methods: A statewide sample of Pennsylvanian adults (N = 1033) completed an online survey about the opioid epidemic. Weighted percentage level of agreement was reported for each item. To determine significant differences in responding across demographic groups (gender, race, and urban/rural status), multiple one-way ANOVAs were analyzed. Significant differences in the level of agreement and disagreement (p <.05) were reported. Results: The majority of respondents agreed that the opioid epidemic is a problem and that anyone can become addicted to opioids; however, many Pennsylvanians still disagree that OUD is a medical disorder and continue to endorse social distance beliefs of people with OUD. Most participants agreed that there are effective treatments available, and that recovery was possible; however, a large portion of participants were unsure whether specific treatments are effective. Subscale mean differences were significant for gender and age. Conclusions/Importance: Findings highlight that stigmatized attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about individuals who use opioids are still prevalent and that uncertainty remains about the effectiveness of OUD treatment. OUD interventions should use targeted messaging in order to impact the ongoing opioid crisis.

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in SUBSTANCE USE AND MISUSE on April 22, 2022, available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10826084.2022.2064506.”

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Work Title The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma
Subtitle A Pennsylvania Statewide Survey
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Övgü Kaynak
  2. Christopher R. Whipple
  3. Erika Bonnevie
  4. Joe A. Grossman
  5. Erica M. Saylor
  6. Matthew Stefanko
  7. Courtney McKeon
  8. Joe Smyser
  9. Weston S. Kensinger
Keyword
  1. stigma
  2. opioid use disorder
  3. opioids
  4. substance use disorder
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Substance Use and Misuse
Publication Date April 22, 2022
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2022.2064506
Deposited August 25, 2022

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added The_opioid_epidemic_and_the_state_of_stigma_FINAL_SUBMISSION.docx
  • Added Creator Övgü Kaynak
  • Added Creator Christopher R. Whipple
  • Added Creator Erika Bonnevie
  • Added Creator Joe A. Grossman
  • Added Creator Erica M. Saylor
  • Added Creator Matthew Stefanko
  • Added Creator Courtney McKeon
  • Added Creator Joe Smyser
  • Added Creator Weston S. Kensinger
  • Published
  • Updated Work Title, Keyword, Description Show Changes
    Work Title
    • The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma
    • ! The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma
    Keyword
    • stigma, opioid use disorder, opioids, substance use disorder
    Description
    • <p>Background: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis. Among initiatives surrounding treatment and prevention, opioid use disorder (OUD) stigma has emerged as a subject for intervention. Objectives: This study examines overall results and demographic differences of three subscales of a public stigma survey instrument: general attitudes, social distance, and treatment availability and effectiveness. Methods: A statewide sample of Pennsylvanian adults (N = 1033) completed an online survey about the opioid epidemic. Weighted percentage level of agreement was reported for each item. To determine significant differences in responding across demographic groups (gender, race, and urban/rural status), multiple one-way ANOVAs were analyzed. Significant differences in the level of agreement and disagreement (p &lt;.05) were reported. Results: The majority of respondents agreed that the opioid epidemic is a problem and that anyone can become addicted to opioids; however, many Pennsylvanians still disagree that OUD is a medical disorder and continue to endorse social distance beliefs of people with OUD. Most participants agreed that there are effective treatments available, and that recovery was possible; however, a large portion of participants were unsure whether specific treatments are effective. Subscale mean differences were significant for gender and age. Conclusions/Importance: Findings highlight that stigmatized attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about individuals who use opioids are still prevalent and that uncertainty remains about the effectiveness of OUD treatment. OUD interventions should use targeted messaging in order to impact the ongoing opioid crisis.</p>
    • Background: The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis. Among initiatives surrounding treatment and prevention, opioid use disorder (OUD) stigma has emerged as a subject for intervention. Objectives: This study examines overall results and demographic differences of three subscales of a public stigma survey instrument: general attitudes, social distance, and treatment availability and effectiveness. Methods: A statewide sample of Pennsylvanian adults (N = 1033) completed an online survey about the opioid epidemic. Weighted percentage level of agreement was reported for each item. To determine significant differences in responding across demographic groups (gender, race, and urban/rural status), multiple one-way ANOVAs were analyzed. Significant differences in the level of agreement and disagreement (p &lt;.05) were reported. Results: The majority of respondents agreed that the opioid epidemic is a problem and that anyone can become addicted to opioids; however, many Pennsylvanians still disagree that OUD is a medical disorder and continue to endorse social distance beliefs of people with OUD. Most participants agreed that there are effective treatments available, and that recovery was possible; however, a large portion of participants were unsure whether specific treatments are effective. Subscale mean differences were significant for gender and age. Conclusions/Importance: Findings highlight that stigmatized attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs about individuals who use opioids are still prevalent and that uncertainty remains about the effectiveness of OUD treatment. OUD interventions should use targeted messaging in order to impact the ongoing opioid crisis.
  • Updated Work Title Show Changes
    Work Title
    • ! The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma
    • The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma
  • Updated