Table 3.
Frequency of stigma experiences | |
Never | 4 |
Rarely | 2 |
Sometimes | 6 |
Often | 4 |
Daily | 2 |
Sources of stigma | |
Friends | 10 |
Health care workers | 8 |
Family | 6 |
Community members | 6 |
Employers/coworkers | 3 |
Coping strategies | |
Concealment | 11 |
Avoidance | 10 |
Confrontation/education | 9 |
Suggested strategies for reducing stigma | |
Public awareness campaigns | 13 |
Education of health care workers | 8 |
Inviting family to clinic appointments | 5 |
Community meetings | 2 |
Messages for the public | |
Don’t judge those on methadone treatment without getting to know them first | 7 |
Methadone is extremely helpful for many people; it saves lives | 5 |
Plea to the public to educate themselves about methadone treatment | 4 |
No message | 2 |
Stay away from methadone treatment | 1 |