Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are perhaps one of the most stigmatized medical or psychiatric conditions (Schomerus et al., 2010). Over half of the general public attributes the cause of AUDs to one’s “own bad character” (Link et al., 1999) or believes that individuals are to blame for their illness (Crisp et al., 2000). Perceived stigma, which develops during socialization, is defined as individuals’ awareness of the discrimination and devaluation directed toward those with conditions that are viewed unfavorably (Link, 1987). For persons who acquire stigmatized conditions, perceived stigma becomes personally relevant, which may provoke fear of being rejected by others (Link, 1987). Among people affected by substance use disorders, perceived stigma is associated with a number of adverse outcomes that complicate recovery, including poorer mental health functioning (Smith et al., 2010), higher depression scores (Luoma et al., 2010), lower rates of treatment utilization (Keyes et al., 2010), lower quality of life (Luoma et al., 2007) and poorer physical health (Ahern et al., 2007). Scholars maintain that stigma is detrimental to achieving and sustaining recovery from addiction (Laudet, 2008; White, 2007, 2009).
