Understanding and Combating Stigma: A Surry County Case Study on Addiction
- C. Jamie Edwards
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Addiction is one of the most highly stigmatized health conditions globally, often viewed as a moral failing rather than a medical disease. Negative attitudes and behaviors toward individuals with a specific characteristic like substance use disorder (SUD), has serious consequences. It prevents people who are struggling from reaching out for help and can lead to barriers in obtaining healthcare, employment, housing, and navigating the criminal justice system. Ultimately, individuals who experience stigma due to a SUD are more likely to continue substance use, delay treatment, and drop out of recovery programs.
To better understand and combat this issue, the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery (SCOSAR), as part of the Addiction Policy Forum's Anti-Stigma Initiative, conducted a pilot survey July and August 2025. SCOSAR is dedicated to aiding in the development of a healthy and safe community by serving Surry County organizations and residents. We aim to empower the community through partnerships that advance health and safety.
SCOSAR provides valuable resources and support to individuals impacted by substance use and justice involvement, with the goal of fostering purpose-driven lives that lead to positive and lasting change. We achieve this by offering prevention, treatment, recovery support, and educational services within the justice system and the broader community. SCOSAR operates with a core set of values, including respect for the dignity and welfare of all people, promoting self-determination, and acting with humility, passion, unity, servanthood, and gratitude.
The survey, designed by the Addiction Policy Forum and the University of Delaware, measured the levels of stigma in the community, as well as general knowledge about addiction. It also gauged public support for policies aimed at addressing addiction and willingness to have treatment and recovery services in the community. The results of this study will be used to establish a baseline for measuring the effectiveness of future interventions and build the recovery community.
The survey defined three key domains of stigma: inaccurate beliefs, negative feelings and unjust treatment. The study's preliminary findings offer a picture of community attitudes, revealing both supportive viewpoints and lingering negative perceptions.
Summary of Findings
Understanding Addiction as a Disease: The survey found that a significant majority of participants, 73% believe that addiction is a disease. In contrast, 21% believe it is a choice, and the remaining 6% were unsure. This is a crucial finding, as understanding addiction as a health condition is a key factor in reducing stigma.
Stereotypes and Prejudice: While many respondents expressed supportive and compassionate feelings toward people in recovery, a notable percentage still hold negative beliefs and feelings. For example, 37% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that people in recovery are "unpredictable". A smaller but still present portion believed they were "dangerous" (6%) or "to blame for their own problems" (14%). Similarly, when asked about their feelings toward people in recovery, 54% of respondents felt slightly to extremely anxious, and 52% felt nervous.
Discrimination: The survey gauged willingness to interact with people in recovery in various settings. A strong majority were willing to engage in professional or general social settings, with 81% willing or definitely willing to "work with someone in recovery" and 80% to "introduce someone in recovery to their friends". However, this willingness decreased significantly in more personal or vulnerable scenarios. Only 16% were willing or definitely willing to have someone in recovery be a "caretaker for your children," and 18% were willing or definitely willing to "rent a room in their home to someone in recovery".
Support for Public Health Policies: Overall, the community demonstrated strong support for public health-oriented solutions over punitive ones. A large majority of respondents—80%—supported or strongly supported making naloxone available to friends and family, and 72% supported increasing government spending on addiction treatment. In contrast, a majority opposed punitive measures. Sixty-one percent (61%) opposed or strongly opposed the idea that all people who use drugs illegally should be arrested and prosecuted, 58% opposed the idea that employers should be able to fire or not hire people in recovery, and 69% opposed the idea that housing agencies should be able to deny services to people in recovery.
Addiction Knowledge: The study measured "addiction literacy," or the ability to understand and use information about SUDs. The average score on the 56-item knowledge scale was 47 out of 56, which is an 86% or a B grade. The survey found that 74% of respondents agreed that Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) can be effective. Additionally, 83% agreed that there are medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), and 62% agreed there are medications to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Conclusion
The preliminary findings from the Surry Community Stigma Survey offer valuable insights into local attitudes towards addiction and recovery. While a significant majority of respondents understand that addiction is a disease and support public health-oriented policies, alternative perspectives remain. This is particularly evident in the decreased willingness to interact with people in recovery in more personal settings, as well as the feelings of anxiety and nervousness reported by a notable portion of the population.
These findings establish a critical baseline for SCOSAR and its partners to develop targeted anti-stigma interventions. By leveraging the community's existing knowledge and support for public health policies, future efforts can focus on dispelling the remaining myths and fostering greater comfort and trust in personal interactions with individuals in recovery.
A proactive approach, grounded in data, is essential for reducing stigma and ensuring that all residents feel empowered to seek and receive the life-saving services while building a sense of hope and trust in our community.
C. Jamie Edwards, MA, M.Ed, LCAS, CCS, CPS Director Surry County Office of Substance Abuse Recovery (SCOSAR)
September 15, 2025