Addressing MAT’s Biggest Challenge: Stigma

Stigma surrounding MAT is a major barrier to opioid agonist therapy. Having a clear understanding of the mediators of this stigma is essential in finding ways to reduce it. The mediators include the language of “addiction”, the friction between harm reduction advocates and abstinence-based treatment providers, the disconnection between treatment for substance use disorders and the medical system, the scarcity of agonist treatment in the criminal justice system and the misconception that addiction is a willful choice. We can better understand the origin of these mediators if we know the evolution of substance use disorder treatment in the United States. Armed with this information, we are better able to discuss and implement agonist therapy.

Learning Objectives:

• Define stigma and types of stigma

• Describe the mediators of stigma

• Review how stigma is a barrier to opioid agonist therapy

• Discuss possible ways to reduce stigma

(1.00 Credit)