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    Addict Behav. 2007 Jul;32(7):1331-46. Epub 2006 Nov 7.

    An investigation of stigma in individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse.

    Luoma JB, Twohig MP, Waltz T, Hayes SC, Roget N, Padilla M, Fisher G.

    University of Nevada, Reno, Department of Psychology/296, Reno, NV 89557, USA. jbluoma@gmail.com

    This study examined the impact of stigma on patients in substance abuse treatment. Patients (N=197) from fifteen residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities completed a survey focused on their experiences with stigma as well as other measures of drug use and functioning. Participants reported experiencing fairly high levels of enacted, perceived, and self-stigma. Data supported the idea that the current treatment system may actually stigmatize people in recovery in that people with more prior episodes of treatment reported a greater frequency of stigma-related rejection, even after controlling for current functioning and demographic variables. Intravenous drug users, compared to non-IV users, reported more perceived stigma as well as more often using secrecy as a method of coping. Those who were involved with the legal system reported less stigma than those without legal troubles. Higher levels of secrecy coping were associated with a number of indicators of poor functioning as well as recent employment problems. Finally, the patterns of findings supported the idea that perceived stigma, enacted stigma, and self-stigma are conceptually distinct dimensions.

    PMID: 17092656 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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