Back to Search Start Over

The relationship between felt stigma and non-fatal overdose among rural people who use drugs.

Authors :
Sibley AL
Klein E
Cooper HLF
Livingston MD 3rd
Baker R
Walters SM
Gicquelais RE
Ruderman SA
Friedmann PD
Jenkins WD
Go VF
Miller WC
Westergaard RP
Crane HM
Source :
Harm reduction journal [Harm Reduct J] 2024 Apr 06; Vol. 21 (1), pp. 77. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 06.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: Drug overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 in 2021 and 2022. Substance use stigma is a major barrier to treatment and harm reduction utilization and is a priority target in ending the overdose epidemic. However, little is known about the relationship between stigma and overdose, especially in rural areas. We aimed to characterize the association between felt stigma and non-fatal overdose in a multi-state sample of rural-dwelling people who use drugs.<br />Methods: Between January 2018 and March 2020, 2,608 people reporting past 30-day opioid use were recruited via modified chain-referral sampling in rural areas across 10 states. Participants completed a computer-assisted survey of substance use and substance-related attitudes, behaviors, and experiences. We used multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to test the association between felt stigma and recent non-fatal overdose.<br />Results: 6.6% of participants (nā€‰=ā€‰173) reported an overdose in the past 30 days. Recent non-fatal overdose was significantly associated with felt stigma after adjusting for demographic and substance use-related covariates (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20-1.81). The association remained significant in sensitivity analyses on component fear of enacted stigma items (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.20-1.83) and an internalized stigma item (aOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.07-2.14).<br />Conclusions: Felt stigma related to substance use is associated with higher risk of non-fatal overdose in rural-dwelling people who use drugs. Stigma reduction interventions and tailored services for those experiencing high stigma are underutilized approaches that may mitigate overdose risk.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1477-7517
Volume :
21
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Harm reduction journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38582851
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-00988-x