2026-2027 | On-Demand Session | Stigma and Discrimination in Addiction

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This session provides a comprehensive examination of stigma and discrimination affecting individuals with substance use disorders and the impact these biases have on healthcare delivery, treatment engagement, and recovery outcomes. Aligned with the ACAAM National Addiction Medicine Didactic Curriculum and ABPM content areas, the session explores how stigma influences interactions between patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare systems, and society. Through evidence-based discussion and real-world clinical cases, learners will examine strategies to recognize, address, and reduce stigma while promoting equitable, patient-centered addiction care.

What This Includes

Definitions and sources of stigma and discrimination related to substance use disorders
Public perceptions and societal attitudes toward individuals with substance use disorders
The impact of stigma on healthcare access, treatment engagement, and recovery outcomes
How healthcare provider attitudes and biases can influence clinical decision-making and quality of care
Clinical case studies illustrating the real-world effects of stigma in addiction treatment settings
Challenges related to medications for opioid use disorder and evidence-based addiction treatment
The role of language, communication, and organizational culture in promoting or reducing stigma
Practical strategies to improve patient engagement, support recovery, and deliver more equitable care

How This Resource is Used
This session is designed for on-demand learning, focused content review, and board preparation. It may be used to strengthen understanding of stigma and discrimination as barriers to effective addiction treatment, reinforce patient-centered approaches to care, and support preparation for addiction medicine certification examinations. Through a combination of evidence-based content, clinical cases, and practice-focused discussion, learners can apply key concepts to improve treatment engagement, reduce bias, and promote equitable care for individuals with substance use disorders.

Miki Kiyokawa, MD

Dr. Kiyokawa is an addiction medicine physician and Associate Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine. She serves as Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship.

To support a meaningful learning experience and recognize your participation:

After viewing a minimum of 50% of the session, the evaluation will become available
We encourage you to complete the evaluation to reflect on the content and provide valuable feedback
Upon completion, a Certificate of Participation will be issued for your records