The Epidemic as Stigma: The Bioethics of Opioids. Issue 4 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buchman, Daniel Z.; Leece, Pamela; Orkin, Aaron
• Other Names: Goldberg Daniel S. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of law, medicine & ethics. Volume 45:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 607
• Page End: 620
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Medical laws and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation -- United States -- Periodicals; Medical ethics -- Periodicals; Jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Legislation, Medical -- Periodicals; Legislation, Nursing -- Periodicals; Ethics -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Societies -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Law and legislation; Medical ethics; Medical laws and legislation; United States; Periodicals; 344.73041
• DOI: 10.1177/1073110517750600
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1073-1105

Abstract

In this paper, we claim that we can only seek to eradicate the stigma associated with the contemporary opioid overdose epidemic when we understand how opioid stigma and the epidemic have co-evolved. Rather than conceptualizing stigma as a parallel social process alongside the epidemiologically and physiologically defined harms of the epidemic, we argue that the stigmatized history of opioids and their use defines the epidemic. We conclude by offering recommendations for disrupting the burden of opioid stigma.