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Mental health workers hold harsher views toward opioid users
UGA Today • • health
Key Points:
- A University of Georgia study found that mental health workers, including those providing treatment and support services, hold more stigmatizing views toward people with opioid addiction than the general population.
- In 2024, opioid overdoses caused over 82,000 deaths in the U.S., with millions more affected by opioid use disorder, yet stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help.
- Surveying 1,600 participants across 13 Southern states, researchers discovered that mental health workers and first responders were more likely to blame opioid users and negatively judge them compared to others.
- Such negative attitudes among healthcare providers could hinder effective treatment, including reluctance to prescribe medications that aid in managing addiction.
- Researchers recommend increased training focused on empathy, non-judgmental listening, and addiction recognition to reduce stigma and improve support for individuals with opioid use disorders.
