Case Study: Findings from the Tuscarawas County Health Department Community Survey on Addiction
- Addiction Policy Forum
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Tuscarawas County Health Department piloted a community survey in partnership with the Addiction Policy Forum to better understand substance use disorder (SUD) stigma, including attitudes, misconceptions, and policy support related to SUD services. Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing individuals with SUD from seeking treatment and achieving long-term recovery.
A total of 361 individuals responded to the survey administered by Tuscarawas County Health Department between February 8, 2024, and May 31, 2024. The participants included people who work in community, non-profit, and social services organizations, education, government, healthcare, and more. This survey highlighted key themes in addiction knowledge, discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes, and public health measures.
Key Findings
Recognition of Addiction as a Health Condition. Over half of the respondents view addiction as a disease (53%) rather than a choice.
Support for Public Health Approaches to Addiction. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents supported increased government spending on addiction treatment and almost half (47%) supported naloxone availability. Over half of respondents (54%) opposed housing agencies denying services to people in recovery (28% reported a neutral stance), and 41% opposed employers firing or not hiring people in recovery (38% responded neutral).
Positive Perceptions of Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT). Widespread agreement that MAT is available to treat opioid use disorder (74%) and is effective (67%). Less than half believe that individuals taking MAT are truly in recovery (42%), and 43% rejected the notion that MAT is merely a substitute for another drug. However, 21% agree that long-term use of MAT is not harmful.
Levels of Stereotyping Toward Individuals in Recovery. Respondents endorsed inaccurate beliefs or negative traits, such as believing people in recovery are unpredictable (45%), are to blame for their own problems (45%), are dangerous (28%), do not make good decisions (23%), and cannot be trusted (23%).
Varying Prejudice Toward Individuals in Recovery. Respondents expressed some positive emotions when interacting with individuals in recovery, including feeling supportive (71%), compassionate (59%), empathetic (50%), and comfortable (42%). However, 73% of respondents reported feeling anxious and 72% nervous interacting with someone in recovery.
Discrimination Increases in Personal and Familial Settings. Most respondents were willing to work with (52%), be neighbors with (48%), and introduce friends to (48%) someone in recovery. Hesitation was higher in personal matters, such as willingness to have someone in recovery marry their children (17%), rent a room in their home (20%), and as a caretaker of their children (10%).
Average Levels of Addiction Knowledge. Overall, respondents scored an average of 71% (or a C grade) on the 56-item knowledge scale, with 18% scoring an A grade, 25% scoring a B grade, and 20% scoring a C, 14% scoring a D grade, and 23% scoring an F grade.
