The Power of Perceptions and Understanding: Changing How We Deliver Treatment and Recovery Services

Millions of people in the U.S. live with a substance use disorder. The 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that among people 12 or older, 48.4 million, or 16.8 percent, has a past-year substance use disorder. In addition, approximately 21.2 million adults had a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder.

Health care providers are often the first contact for addressing their patient’s substance use disorder. There is ample evidence that those who have a substance use disorder often have feelings of shame that impede treatment-seeking. Therefore, it is essential health care providers understand that negative attitudes, beliefs and language can be barriers that prevent those in need from seeking services, or even sharing information, including being in recovery.

About the Webcast Series: The Power of Perceptions and Understanding

SAMHSA, in partnership withMassachusetts General Hospital, Recovery Research Institute, produced a four-part webinar series was developed to educate healthcare professionals about the challenges of discriminatory practices and inaccurate perceptions in treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and related conditions, as well as those living in recovery. The series emphasized the harm caused by negative perceptions and prejudicial behaviors and highlighted the importance of adopting non-discriminatory approaches to improve care and outcomes for these individuals.

Webinars

The webinars aired live in March 2018. The videos are available on SAMHSA’s YouTube Channel.

March 28, 2018: “Overcoming stigma, ending discrimination”

• View the Overcoming stigma, ending discrimination Webinar (58 minutes)

April 26, 2018: “Why addiction is a 'disease' and why it’s important”

• View the Why Addiction is a “disease” and why is it important Webinar (1 hour)
• Resource Guide from the Why Addiction is a “disease” and why is it important Webinar (PDF | 711 KB)

May 22, 2018: “Reducing discriminatory practices in clinical settings”

• View the Reducing discriminatory practices in clinical settings Webinar (59 minutes)
• Resource Guide from the Reducing discriminatory practices in clinical settings Webinar (PDF | 719 KB)

June 19, 2018: "A future without discrimination and discriminatory practices"

• View the A future without discrimination and discriminatory practices Webinar (59 minutes)
• Resource Guide from the A future without discrimination and discriminatory practices Webinar (PDF | 194 KB)

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