“Stigma is acutely problematic in health care. The effects of institutional and health care provider stigma toward People with Substance Use Disorder (PWSUD) are sizeable, resulting in undertreatment, resistance to seeking and undergoing treatment, diminished therapeutic alliance, and lower-quality care. In a recent scoping review, Cazalis et al
note that approximately 20% to 51% of health care providers potentially hold negative beliefs/feelings toward PWSUD. As a result, PWSUD underutilize health care services to avoid distressing and stigmatizing experiences within the health care system, such as
decreased health care provider regard and empathy and increased discrimination. Substantial effort is needed to mitigate stigma among health care providers to provide improved quality of care and life for those with SUD.”