7273E Stigma in Substance Use Treatment-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video session addresses the stigma associated with substance use disorders in healthcare contexts, focusing on both patients and professionals. Megan, collaborating with the Opioid Response Network (ORN), introduces Annette Hubbard, an experienced case manager in a tribal clinic in Menilchik, Alaska, who leads the presentation. Annette shares her background, emphasizing her long-term recovery and her work as an addiction medicine case manager. The talk covers various facets of stigma, highlighting how it affects patients seeking treatment and how it can manifest among healthcare providers.<br /><br />Annette discusses the neurobiology of addiction, illustrating how substances like methamphetamine significantly spike dopamine levels, overshadowing natural rewards and altering behaviors. She shares personal and professional anecdotes to underscore the profound impact of stigma, like the misdiagnosis and subsequent life-threatening condition of a peer distributor labeled as 'drug-seeking' by a nurse. Emphasizing empathy and understanding, Annette advocates for a shift in how healthcare providers approach addiction treatment, calling for more nuanced and supportive patient interactions.<br /><br />Additionally, the discussion includes practical advice on language use and the importance of self-care among healthcare providers to combat compassion fatigue. Annette wraps up with a case study to exemplify real-world applications and challenges in treating substance use disorders, encouraging open dialogue and continuous education to reduce stigma.

Keywords

substance use disorders

stigma

healthcare

addiction treatment

neurobiology of addiction

compassion fatigue

empathy

case study