The Cost of Stigma

Authors

Jeremy Kourvelas, University of Tennessee KnoxvilleFollow
Carole R. Myers Dr., University of Tennessee KnoxvilleFollow
Katie Cahill, University of Tennessee KnoxvilleFollow
Karen J. Derefinko PhD, University of Tennessee Health Science CenterFollow
Robert Pack PhD, East Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Kelly E. Moore PhD, East Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Jennifer Tourville, University of TennesseeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 8-5-2021

Abstract

Key Points

• Substance Use Disorder (SUD), formerly known as addiction or substance abuse, is a treatable medical condition, but fewer than 1 in 10 Tennesseans with SUD receive treatment.
• Stigma can lead to a view of those with SUD as weak-willed, unmotivated, and unlikely to recover. However, the reality is that about 60% of people with SUD experience full remission.
• Treatment is also fiscally sound: every $1 spent on evidence-based treatment for SUD saves $12 in healthcare and criminal justice costs.
• How we talk about SUD is the beginning of reducing stigma. Using person-first language such as “people with substance use disorder” as opposed to harmful words like “addict” or “junkie” is a start.
• The Recovery Research Institute’s “Addictionary” is an excellent resource for clinicians, policymakers, judicial authorities, and other stakeholders to refer to when seeking to destigmatize their vocabulary.

See report attached, and for additional information, visit https://smart.tennessee.edu/policy-briefs/the-cost-of-stigma/.

Recommended Citation

Kourvelas, Jeremy; Myers, Carole R. Dr.; Cahill, Katie; Derefinko, Karen J. PhD; Pack, Robert PhD; Moore, Kelly E. PhD; and Tourville, Jennifer, "The Cost of Stigma" (2021). SMART Policy Briefs.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/spn_briefs/4