Patient-reported stigma toward medications for opioid use disorder: A pilot study in adults receiving inpatient treatment

Although medications are effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD), they are highly stigmatized. Our objectives were to (1) compare patient-reported stigma across medication types and (2) determine whether intention to take each medication was associated with stigma and perceived effectiveness.

Adults with OUD (N = 58) were enrolled from inpatient treatment.

Stigma toward naltrexone was significantly lower than buprenorphine and methadone. Perceived effectiveness was strongly associated with intention to take each medication, whereas stigma was only associated with intention to take methadone.

Patients reported higher stigma for agonist medications, however perceived effectiveness was more strongly associated with intention to take medication. Both knowledge about MOUD effectiveness and stigma may be valuable targets for improving MOUD uptake.