Social Stigma toward Persons with Opioid Use Disorder: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey of U.S. Adults

BACKGROUND: This study seeks to understand the general adult population’s knowledge, attitudes, and stigma towards opioid use disorder (OUD), people with histories of opioid misuse, and policies related to OUD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional national survey of the U.S. adult population, using AmeriSpeak’s(®) web, probability-based panel. The number of participants were 947 (493 females and 454 males) general population adults ages 19 –89 years old who completed a self-report survey covering: social stigma of OUD, opioid policy attitudes, perceptions of OUD as a crime, knowledge and beliefs about opioids and treatment, personal experience with opioids and the criminal justice (CJ) system, and demographics. RESULTS: Thirteen percent self-reported ever misusing opioids, 3% reported an opioid overdose, and 14% reported personal experience with the CJ system. On average, the general adult population moderately endorses stigmatizing behaviors, agrees that OUD is a medical condition, agrees with policies to increase access to OUD treatment, and is less likely to endorse OUD as a crime. Having a disregard for OUD as a medical condition was most associated with higher levels of stigma, endorsing OUD as a crime, and disagreeing with policies to help people access OUD treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide guidance to policymakers concerning individuals with certain characteristics to target for public education efforts to reduce stigma and draw more support for public heath interventions for OUD. Our data also suggest that the content of this education should include improving understanding of OUD as a medical condition.