Mapping evidence on culturally adapted anti-stigma interventions for substance use in India: a scoping review of published studies

Purpose The majority of anti-stigma intervention models for substance use have been developed in Western contexts and are not directly transferable to the Indian sociocultural context. This review aims to systematically map and evaluate current evidence on culturally adapted anti-stigma interventions for substance use in India. Design/methodology/approach The study followed Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review process, conducting a systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Findings Overall, the findings indicate limited or no incorporation of cultural aspects among the reviewed interventions. More robust integration of local beliefs, concepts, language and community involvement is necessary. Research limitations/implications This scoping review is limited by the small number of eligible studies found, which limits its comprehensiveness. The findings should, therefore, be read as suggestive rather than definitive, highlighting the imperative need for systematic, large-scale and culturally informed research. Practical implications There is a need for the development of anti-stigma interventions for substance use that go beyond biomedical models. Social implications Interventions adapted to a culture can help dismantle stereotypes that link users of substances to moral failure or family shame. By creating empathy and a sense of belonging, these interventions can curb discrimination in healthcare and communities. Originality/value This review is the first to systematically map the evidence regarding culturally adapted anti-stigma interventions for substance use in India. Although stigma in substance use has been thoroughly reported, its cultural aspects have been underresearched. By synthesizing the findings from the few existing studies, this review highlights both current efforts and pressing gaps, providing a foundation for future culturally adapted intervention design. The contribution of this work lies in shifting the discourse from generic models of anti-stigma toward context-specific models that align with India’s distinctive sociocultural context, thus pushing the development of effective, inclusive and sustainable anti-stigma interventions.