1129 Sigma of Opioid Addiction, "A Narcoleptic Patient Blamed to be Excessively Sleepy Due to Her Opioid Use Disorder"

Abstract Introduction Healthcare professionals’ stigmatising beliefs can lead to the provision of suboptimal care, a form of enacted stigma that reduces patients’ engagement with drug treatment. Among people with OUDs, internalized stigma has been associated with psychological distress and poorer quality of life continued substance use, and reduced engagement with substance use treatment and in all aspects of patient care. Stigma even undermines the health of people with OUDs in ways that have nothing to do with the treatment of OUDs. Methods Literature review, Case report Results Illicit drug use disorders are the most stigmatised health conditions worldwide, and stigma acts as a meaningful barrier to treatment entry and treatment provision. Illegal drug use disorders, as compared to other mental or physical health problems, are more likely to be viewed as a personal choice or a sign of weakness or “bad character”. Stigma from health-care providers can manifest as lower empathy and engagement, non-collaborative and paternalistic approaches, suboptimal or disrupted care, and exclusion from services. Some reports believe that OAT is beyond their scope of practice and does not belong in primary care, which can clearly affect patients’ care in all aspects of their mental and physical health along with addiction issues. Stigma also creates barriers for people with opioid use disorder in the criminal justice system, with widespread misconceptions regarding the purpose and benefits of treatment leading to programs that are often unavailable or poorly implemented. Conclusion The change at the level of policy and systems is needed to ensure that people with opioid use disorder are treated in all aspects of medical and mental health care with the same dignity and respect as any other patient group for optimal treatment outcomes. Removing regulatory barriers to prescribing OAT, for example, may help normalise treatment within primary care and allow opioid disorder to be managed like other chronic conditions. In addition to improving access, this provides opportunities to manage comorbid mental and physical health problems that may otherwise be left unaddressed. Support (if any) N/A