Reducing stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder through social work education, research, and practice

ABSTRACT

A large body of research demonstrates the safety and efficacy of medication for opioid use disorder to reduce opioid misuse and related harms. However, stigma is a substantial barrier to broader use of these medications. This endpage reviews the impact of stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder on treatment access, uptake, retention, and outcomes. I then suggests areas for future research and social change. As one of the primary service providers for people with opioid use disorder, social workers should be at the forefront of efforts to destigmatize medication treatments. Social workers are well positioned to address the consequences of stigma toward medication for opioid use disorder through research, education, practice, and systems change.

KEYWORDS:

• Buprenorphine
• medication for opioid use disorder
• methadone
• stigma
• treatment

Acknowlegements

This work was supported by the Elizabeth N. Brehler Scholars Program. The author would like to thank Dr. Stella Resko for chairing the qualifying exam committee that inspired this article and providing constructive input.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.