How Stigma Stops People From Getting Addiction Help in Indiana

Stigma surrounding addiction creates invisible barriers that prevent thousands of Hoosiers from seeking the help they need. Right here in Indiana communities, from the bustling streets of Indianapolis to the quiet farmlands of rural counties, negative attitudes and harmful language about substance use disorders directly impact treatment access and recovery outcomes. Nearly half a million Indiana residents—one in twelve—meet the criteria for substance use disorder, yet many avoid treatment due to fear of judgment. Understanding how stigma shows up in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and healthcare systems is the first step toward creating more supportive communities where recovery can flourish.

Common Stigma in Indiana Communities

In Indiana's cities and rural communities alike, stigma appears in everyday conversations, policies, and attitudes that push people struggling with substance use disorders to the margins. This stigma creates real barriers when folks use derogatory terms like "junkie" or "crackhead," when neighbors fight against recovery housing in their area, or when healthcare providers look skeptically at patients in medication-assisted treatment programs.

The numbers tell a troubling story about how deeply these attitudes run. In Marion County, nearly 83% of surveyed residents said people with substance use disorders can't be trusted, and 76% said they're viewed less favorably than others in the community, according to research from Marion County Public Health Department. With approximately one in twelve Hoosiers—around half a million people—meeting the criteria for substance use disorder as reported by Indiana's Recovery Website, these negative perceptions touch families across every demographic, from Evansville to South Bend.

• 83% of Marion County residents believe people with substance use disorders can't be trusted
• 76% view those with addiction less favorably than other community members
• 1 in 12 Hoosiers (approximately 500,000 people) meet criteria for substance use disorder
• Rural residents face additional barriers due to limited privacy in small communities
• Treatment access is further complicated by geographic and resource limitations

Rural communities often face heightened stigma due to limited privacy and treatment options. In small towns along the Wabash River or tucked into the hills of Brown County, seeking help means risking that everyone will know your business. Churches, schools, and even hospitals can unintentionally perpetuate stigma through outdated approaches that view addiction primarily as a moral failing rather than a treatable health condition.

"They need help, not judgment. When we come together as communities to support recovery rather than shame people struggling with addiction, we see real transformation happen," explains Sarah Miller, coordinator for the Central Indiana Addiction Resource Coalition, at a recent community awareness event in Indianapolis.

These stigmatizing attitudes aren't just hurtful—they create concrete barriers that prevent people from accessing life-saving treatment and support services essential for long-term recovery.

Language That Harms Recovery

The words we choose when discussing addiction and recovery carry real weight. Language shapes perception, policy, and even personal identity for those in recovery. Everyday phrases can either reinforce stigma or help dismantle it, directly affecting whether someone feels safe enough to seek treatment.

Consider how these common terms might sound to someone from Richmond or Bloomington who's thinking about getting help:

Instead of saying...	Try using people-first language like...
Addict	Person with a substance use disorder
Junkie	Person in recovery
Dirty urine	Positive drug screen
Relapsed again	Returned to use

Stigmatizing language increases shame and isolation, while using people-first terms improves recovery outcomes and public perception. When we define people by their condition rather than seeing their full humanity, we unknowingly add to the barriers that keep them from seeking help.

Many folks don't realize how their casual language reinforces negative stereotypes. Most Hoosiers want to be supportive, but may not have the tools to talk about addiction in ways that help rather than harm. Whether at a Colts game or a neighborhood cookout in Fort Wayne, by shifting our vocabulary, we create safer spaces for people to acknowledge struggles and seek support without fear of judgment.

What the Research Says

Research consistently shows that stigma directly affects treatment outcomes and recovery success. People are significantly less likely to seek help when they anticipate judgment from family, friends, employers, or healthcare providers. In communities where stigma runs high, enrollment in evidence-based programs like Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) remains notably lower, despite proven effectiveness.

The language we use shapes both personal experiences and public policy. Studies show that describing someone as a "drug addict" leads to more negative responses—while using medical terms like "opioid use disorder" results in more supportive and compassionate reactions. This difference in language affects everything from bedside manner to funding decisions for treatment programs across Indiana.

Despite decades of public education efforts, 75.2% of the public still do not believe that substance use disorder is a chronic medical illness comparable to diabetes or heart disease – a fundamental misconception that drives stigmatizing attitudes and policies.

Perhaps most concerning is that despite decades of public education efforts, 75.2% of the public still do not believe that a person with a substance use disorder is experiencing a chronic medical illness like diabetes or heart disease, according to the Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index. This fundamental misconception underlies many stigmatizing attitudes and policies.

When people in recovery feel stigmatized, they're more likely to drop out of treatment early and face higher relapse risks. Research shows that environments supporting recovery with dignity and respect lead to better long-term outcomes, highlighting how our collective attitudes directly impact public health across Indiana's 92 counties.

What You Can Do

Every Hoosier can help reduce addiction stigma through simple, everyday actions. By making small changes in how we talk about addiction and recovery, we create communities where people feel safe seeking the help they need. Here are practical steps anyone can take:

• Mind your language: Use people-first terms that recognize the person before their condition. Say "person with substance use disorder" rather than defining someone by their struggle.
• Talk openly about treatment options: Normalize discussions about recovery pathways, including therapy, support groups, and medication options, without shame or judgment.
• Understand that recovery isn't linear: Recognize that returns to use (relapses) are common parts of the recovery process, not moral failures or signs that treatment doesn't work.
• Support evidence-based approaches: Advocate for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Narcan availability, and recovery housing in your community, even when facing NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) resistance.
• Attend community events: Participate in recovery walks, town halls, or educational sessions to show visible support for those in recovery.
• Challenge misinformation: When you hear myths or stereotypes about addiction, politely provide accurate information based on current understanding of substance use disorders.

Indiana's Next Level Recovery program encourages Hoosiers to reduce stigma by using respectful language, listening without judgment, and treating recovery as a health issue—not a moral one. Whether you're in the suburbs of Carmel or the lake communities near Michigan City, even implementing just one of these suggestions can make a meaningful difference in someone's recovery journey.

Stigma Reduction Strategy	Community Impact
Using people-first language	Reduces shame, increases treatment-seeking behavior
Supporting recovery housing	Improves long-term sobriety rates by up to 50%
Sharing personal recovery stories	Normalizes recovery, inspires hope in others
Advocating for MAT access	Reduces overdose deaths and improves treatment retention

By working together to reduce addiction stigma in Indiana communities, we create environments where more people feel safe seeking help, staying in treatment, and building sustainable recovery. The language we use and the attitudes we express directly affect whether our neighbors, friends, and family members access the support they need to heal and thrive.

For more information about supporting recovery efforts in Indiana, visit our recovery resources or learn about prevention programs in your community.

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