Counselors’ Stigma Toward Addictions: Increasing Awareness and Decreasing Stigma

Authors

Natalie M. Ricciutti, University of North Carolina, CharlotteFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Stigma, substance use disorders, process/behavioral addictions, addiction education, continuing education.

Subject Area

Addictions Counseling, Counseling, Counselor Education, Higher Education Counseling, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore licensed counselors’ level of stigma toward individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and process/behavioral addictions (PBAs) and note any differences. A total of 138 licensed mental health counselors from one Midwestern state completed the SRTSS and the BRTSS to determine levels of stigma toward SUDs and PBAs, respectively. Participant scores from the SRTSS and BRTSS were normally distributed, and 15% to 32% of participants’ scores were reflective of stigma toward individuals with either SUDs or PBAs. A significant difference was not found between participants’ stigma toward individuals with SUDs or PBAs. Hypotheses for this finding are offered with implications for practicing counselors, supervisors, and counselor educators.

Recommended Citation

Ricciutti, N. M. (2023). Counselors’ Stigma Toward Addictions: Increasing Awareness and Decreasing Stigma. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 17(3). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/jcps/vol17/iss3/6