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Addiction stigma experienced by people with substance use disorders (SUD) is a powerful driver of our country's addiction crisis, leading to tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year. Stigma keeps many from seeking treatment, creates social isolation, and prevents the use of life saving medications. Our National Stigma Initiative is working to change that through state and local stigma reduction campaigns, based in community relationships and highlighting stories of people impacted by SUD.

Harm reduction interventions and policies serving people who use drugs must reflect unique individual and community needs. Therefore, there is no universal definition of harm reduction. Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies that includes safer use, managed use, abstinence, meeting people who use drugs “where they're at,” and addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.

Behavioral Therapies include a range of treatment options to support an individual to develop skills and learn new strategies to help with difficult aspects of their life. Behavioral therapy may be in conjunction with other treatment options, such as Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).

MOUD is an effective, clinically proven treatment that helps people in their recovery. People recover differently—one way people recover is with MOUD.

There are several evidence-based approaches to treat substance use disorder (SUD). Different types of treatment are recommended based on frequency of use, types of substances, general health, and other factors. Treatment programs often begin with intensive services and transition to outpatient settings to maintain recovery.

Learn about the different types of stigma and explore how they impact individuals to better understand their effects.