While investigations of alcohol stigma have been informed by the serious mental illness literature, the latent construct of perceived stigma, as well as mechanisms of PAS that lead to adverse consequences, may be unique. AUDs are distinct across certain dimensions (e.g. origin, harm/peril, concealability, disruptiveness) that contribute to the process and outcomes of stigma (Jones et al. 1984; Link and Phelan 2001). For example, the degree of blame and dangerousness associated with AUDs appears to be worse as compared to other mental illnesses (Schomerus et al. 2010), yet their concealability and disruptiveness may be more easily managed due to the social acceptability of drinking and the temporary nature of intoxication and hangover.
