1. Have you ever experienced stigma related to methadone maintenance treatment? |
a. If yes, how frequently do you experience stigma? |
2. Based on your experience, what is the most common source of stigma regarding methadone? |
3. Could you describe 1 or 2 specific stigma experiences? |
4. Could you describe how the general public treats/feels about methadone patients? |
a. Could you tell us, on a scale of 1 to 5, how much you agree with these following statements? (1 being you strongly disagree and 5 being you strongly agree) |
i. Most people would willingly accept someone who is undergoing methadone treatment as a close friend. |
ii. Most people believe that someone who is undergoing methadone treatment is just as trustworthy as the average citizen. |
iii. Most people think less of a person who is receiving methadone treatment. |
iv. Most employers will hire someone who is receiving methadone treatment if he or she is qualified for the job. |
v. Most people would be willing to date someone who is receiving methadone treatment. |
b. How do you think the public perceives the methadone maintenance program? |
i. Based on your experience, would you say that most people are aware of what methadone is and how it is used for? |
ii. Have you noticed any public misconceptions or misunderstanding regarding methadone? If so, provide specific examples. |
iii. Do you believe that the public perceives methadone patients in a more negative manner than individuals undergoing other addiction treatments like abstinence programs? |
5. Do you think some of the negative stereotypes about methadone patients are true? |
a. Do you feel ashamed about being in methadone treatment? |
6. Has stigma affected your methadone treatment in any manner? |
7. Has stigma affected your daily life in any manner? |
8. How do you usually cope with the stigma surrounding methadone? |
9. Could you provide some suggestions on how the stigma surrounding drug addiction and methadone could be reduced? |
10. If there were one message you would like to give people about drug addiction and methadone, what would it be? |