Work

Patient‐reported stigma toward medications for opioid use disorder: A pilot study in adults receiving inpatient treatment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although medications are effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), they are highly stigmatized. Our objectives were to (1) compare patient-reported stigma across medication types and (2) determine whether intention to take each medication was associated with stigma and perceived effectiveness. METHODS: Adults with OUD (N = 58) were enrolled from inpatient treatment. RESULTS: Stigma toward naltrexone was significantly lower than buprenorphine and methadone. Perceived effectiveness was strongly associated with intention to take each medication, whereas stigma was only associated with intention to take methadone. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Patients reported higher stigma for agonist medications, however perceived effectiveness was more strongly associated with intention to take medication. Both knowledge about MOUD effectiveness and stigma may be valuable targets for improving MOUD uptake.

Source: American Journal on Addictions

DOI: 10.1111/ajad.70219

Authors: R. Kathryn McHugh, Victoria R. Votaw, Gabriel Comas, Reuben A. Hendler, Roger D. Weiss, Blake T. Hilton

Institutions: Harvard University, McLean Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Charles Engelhard Foundation