Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
Alcohol and drug-related problems are common in clinical populations but are often stigmatized by the public and the professions. These attitudes may interfere with patients obtaining effective help. The reasons for these barriers are explored, including the views that these problems are self-inflicted--and therefore less worthy of help--and the stereotypes and resistances that abound in working with those who have become addicted. Training and public education may go some way to improve this situation.