Predictors of Stigmatization Towards Use of Various Illicit Drugs Among Emerging Adults

Abstract

The stigma associated with illegal drug use is nearly universal, but each drug is associated with its own specific level of stigma. This study examined level of stigmatization towards users of various illegal drugs and determined what variables explain such attitudes. A sample of emerging adults (age 18 to 25) was surveyed throughout New York City (N = 1021) and lifetime use, level of exposure to users, and level of stigmatization was assessed regarding use of marijuana, powder cocaine, Ecstasy, and nonmedical use of opioids and amphetamine. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine predictors of stigmatization towards each drug. Results suggest that non-illegal drug users reported high levels of stigmatization towards users of all drugs, but lifetime marijuana users reported significantly lower levels of stigmatization towards users of all harder drugs. This may suggest that once an individual enters the realm of illegal drug use, stigmatization towards use of harder drugs decreases, potentially leaving individuals at risk for use of more dangerous substances. Since stigma and social disapproval may be protective factors against illegal drug use, policy experts need to consider the potential flaws associated with classifying marijuana with harder, more dangerous drugs.

Perceived neighborhood illicit drug selling, peer illicit drug disapproval and illicit drug use among U.S. high school seniors

“…In addition, we found that increased frequency of witnessing drug selling was associated with lower levels of friend disapproval toward use of marijuana and cocaine. Disapproval (self-, peer-, and perceived societal disapproval) has previously been found to be a robust protective factor against drug use [34,37,57-60]. These findings suggest that increased frequency of witnessing drug selling in one’s neighborhood is associated with lowered friend disapproval toward marijuana, but much higher frequency of witnessing drug selling was needed in order for students to report significantly lower friend disapproval toward cocaine.…”

“…Importantly, sociological and psychological theories, such as Social Norms Theory [35] and the Theory of Planned Behavior [36], suggest that neighborhood illicit drug selling could be associated with peer illicit drug disapproval. In addition, disapproval and stigmatization towards illicit drug use has previously been shown to be an important correlate of illicit drug use [37]. Research on how perceived neighborhood drug selling relates to both use and (peer) attitudes towards use would add to the literature as there is a lack of information whether perception of neighborhood drug selling is a risk factor for use.…”

Stigma Towards Substance use: Comparing Treatment Seeking Alcohol and Opioid Dependent men

“…Fourthly, there may be lesser degree of realization that the prescription opioid users are in-fact substance users, and are not taking the opioids for medical complaints. Lastly, it is possible that users of illicit drugs appraise stigma towards substance use differently when compared to users to legal substances (Palamar et al 2012). All of the above reasons may contribute to greater experienced stigma reported by alcohol users.…”

How Do Indian Substance Users Perceive Stigma Towards Substance Use Vis-A-Vis Their Family Members?

“…Stigma perceived towards substance users was similar across the patients and their family members for both alcohol-and opioid-dependent groups in the present study. Previous literature suggests that substance Stigma Towards Substance Use in India 5 users might have less stigmatizing attitudes towards illicit ubstance use than nonusers (Palamar, Kiang & Halkitis, 2012). On the other hand, there is some evidence that substance users might have more stigmatizing views towards other substance users (Sorsdahl, Stein, & Myers, 2012).…”