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On December 1, Psychiatric Services in Advance, an online service of the American Psychiatric Association, published “Criminal Activity or Treatable Health Condition? News Media Framing of Opioid Analgesic Abuse in the United States, 1998-2012.” The study is summarized below. Study DetailsNational and regional news stories reviewed: 673 - Newspaper articles, 437; television … [Read more...] about Stigma Article Series: Part III – News Media Contribute to Stigma Directed at People Who Misuse Opioids

The best way to fight stigma against opioid treatment programs (OTPs) is to bring the programs themselves out in the open—and that’s finally starting to happen. “OTPs set themselves up like they’re in a back alley somewhere,” said Wilma Townsend, MSW, the top methadone patient advocate expert at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “They can’t do … [Read more...] about Stigma Article Series: Part IV – Fighting Stigma Against Opioid Treatment Programs: People and Education Are Needed

The growth of the patient advocate movement in opioid treatment programs (OTPs) is a benefit for patients and for management. Patient advocates will be the leaders of the peer specialists who will provide essential support for patients. Two well-known patient advocates are Zac Talbott, MSW, CMA, who just opened his own OTP, Counseling Solutions of Chatsworth in Chatsworth, … [Read more...] about Patient Advocates: Leading Peer Specialists in OTPs