Utilization of drug treatment programs by methamphetamine users: The role of social stigma

We examined the link between drug use stigma and use of drug treatment services in a sample of 292 heterosexually identified, methamphetamine (meth) users. Participants who had ever been in treatment for their meth use (N = 82) were compared with those who had never been in treatment (N = 210). Three dimensions of stigma proposed by Link et al.(1) were examined. In univariate analyses, participants who had never been in treatment for meth use reported significantly more expectations of rejection and endorsed more stigma coping strategies as compared to those who had ever been in treatment. Regression analysis revealed that all three dimensions of stigma distinguished between participants who did and did not receive treatment fot their meth use. Stigma is discussed as a potential barrier to drug use treatment.