9.4 A Health Condition, not a Moral Failing

As noted in several chapters in this book, drug use has often been constructed as a moral failing that contributes to the stigmatization of PWUS and people experiencing SUDs. Such negative views of PWUS fail to take into account the science behind substance use and SUDs. Often ignored is the role played by the SDoH (See Chapter on SDoH) and substance use-related chemical changes (i.e., Dopamine) that occur in the brain (See Chapter on Understanding Substance Use Disorders & Addiction), on people experiencing SUDs (CCSA, 2019; Hardee, 2017). Instead, the individual is blamed for their “choices” and “lack of willpower.”

VIDEO: Shaming the Sick: Substance Use and Stigma

The following video provides examples of stigmatizing language and explains the link between stigma and substance use.

Click the image below to access and complete the second of three interactive modules developed by CCSA that provides insight into substance use disorders (Note: This module will resume where you left off. To re-start the module from the beginning, open a new Incognito Window (Chrome), Private Window (Safari, Firefox), or InPrivate (Edge)).