Findings of a Universal Intervention to Decrease Addiction Stigma
Addiction Policy Forum's case study details the outcomes of a pilot study in Ohio to evaluate the outcomes of Responding to Addiction, a new anti-stigma intervention. The project is a collaboration between APF, Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the University of Delaware.
The Responding to Addiction program, developed by the Addiction Policy Forum, was deployed throughout Ohio to increase addiction literacy, correct misconceptions about addiction, and reduce stigma. Responding to Addiction is a multidisciplinary anti-stigma program that teaches participants about the science of addiction and equips them with the knowledge and tools to understand and address substance use disorders. The study was conducted between August 2023 and May 2024 to assess the impact of community anti-stigma interventions, which included 213 participants who were evaluated both before and after the intervention. The evaluation focused on addiction knowledge, confidence in responding to substance use disorder (SUD), and levels of stigma, including stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination intent.
The results of the pilot study were statistically significant and demonstrated that:
Responding to Addiction increased addiction literacy among participants, which includes:
Knowledge about substance use disorder treatment and recovery, including evidence-based medications and behavioral therapies;
Understanding of signs and symptoms and levels of severity of a substance use disorder;
Comprehension of risk factors in the development of a substance use disorder and how to prevent addiction; and
Knowledge about how to engage someone with an addiction.
The program decreased addiction stigma among participants, including:
Reductions in stereotypes, the inaccurate beliefs or thoughts about individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder;
Reductions in prejudice, the negative feelings or emotions towards individuals with a substance use disorder; and
Reduced discrimination intent, the negative or unjust treatment of patients in treatment or recovery from a substance use disorder.
The analysis showed a significant change in responses to stigma measures before and after the intervention. There were no significant differences by education, race/ethnicity, or any of the additional respondent characteristics.
"Through the Responding to Addiction program, we are committed to enhancing understanding of addiction and dismantling misconceptions. By equipping Ohioans with a deeper grasp of addiction and the tools to address substance use disorders, we take a crucial step toward reducing stigma and fostering a more supportive community for those in need," said Aimee Shadwick, Director of RecoveryOhio.
"The consequences of stigma are substantial. Research has found that individuals who experience stigma due to addiction are more likely to continue engaging in substance use and have greater delayed treatment access and higher dropout rates. And stigma prevents struggling people from reaching out for help and isolates families,” shared Jessica Hulsey, Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum. “The study shows that Addiction Policy Forum’s new anti-stigma intervention can improve addiction literacy and reduce stigma. We are grateful to RecoveryOhio and Governor Mike DeWine for their leadership in addressing stigma and improving addiction literacy.”
Download the Case Study here.