Table 1.

Items in drug-related stigma measure

Perceived drug-related stigma

1. Most people would willingly accept someone who has been treated for substance use as a close friend (R)

2. Most people believe that someone who has been treated for substance use is just as trustworthy as the average citizens (R)

3. Most people would accept someone who has been treated for substance use as a teacher of young children in a public school (R)

4. Most people would hire someone who has been treated for substance use to take care of their children (R)

5. Most people think less of a person who has been in treatment for substance use

6. Most employers will hire someone who has been treated for substance use if he or she is qualified for the job (R)

7. Most employers will pass over the application of someone who has been treated for substance use for another applicant

8. Most people would be willing to date someone how has been treated for substance use (R)

Internalised drug-related shame

9. You are punished by evil*

10. Your life is tainted

11. You are angry with yourself as a drug user

12. You are a disgrace to the society

13. Your life is filled with shame

14. You fill guilty for being the source of disruption in the family

15. You feel your life is worthless

16. You feel your reputation is lost

17. If possible, you want to conceal your drug status for life

Note. (R) indicated that the item was reversed coded.

^*Self-stigmatisation as people consider drug-related stigma a punishment for their behaviour.