Using a Film of Digital Storytelling and Art to Decrease Stigma Toward Those With Substance Use Disorder

The stigma associated with substance use disorder (SUD) harms the lives of people who use drugs (PWUD). Perceptions and projections such as PWUD are unclean, dangerous, noncompliant, or at fault for their addiction are unfounded and can harm the person's quality of life, impacting all social determinants of health. Stigmatic behaviors displayed in the healthcare setting directly influence the ability of the person with SUD to engage fully in their care as feelings of trust are replaced by shame. Experiential learning is an effective methodology for learning, development, and change. An opportunity to view a documentary composed of various forms of art and focused on the experiences of PWUD, followed by an expert panel discussion, was offered to community members in Western Massachusetts. The Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale was administered preintervention and postintervention with additional open-ended questions following participation. Using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, there was a significant decrease (p > .0445) in the overall Perceived Stigma of Substance Abuse Scale scores from baseline to postintervention. A comparison and thematic analysis were performed, and findings of reported changes in perception, including the recognition of stigma, cognitive and behavioral changes, the impact of the film, and community benefits, were identified. The study findings offer the potential to facilitate positive changes in perception and behaviors that may influence the projection of stigma against people with SUD.