Reducing Stigma Related to SUD in Rural Care Settings Gallery

Amber has been in recovery for five years. A mother of six, she recently earned her associate degree and runs her own business.

Beth has been in recovery for 31 years. She says, "It doesn't happen in one day. It takes a long time to gain the fortitude, to get healthy, to be grateful, to be clean and sober."

Charles has been in recovery for 38 years and helps individuals with SUD as an addiction therapist. “Recovery is my work, it’s my ministry,” he says. “Recovery actually works, but you have to work at it.”  

Now in recovery from SUD, Chris says, “My life has become so much more than I ever expected it would be. I have a sense of purpose. I have beautiful relationships in my life.”

Gary has been in recovery for 22 years. He has many nieces and nephews and loves being “Uncle Gary.” “I love my life,” he says.

Jake’s years in recovery have been the best in his life. He encourages health care providers to take a moment for a conversation and to offer recovery resources to patients with SUD. He suggests, “speak plainly, but speak with heart.”

Javier cares for his children and works at an HVAC company. An ED doctor helped him connect with an outpatient program and start his recovery. He had “been stigmatized before,” he says, but he did call the program “because it really showed me that somebody cared.”

John is in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). At one of his toughest moments, the concern of a friend and “just that human connection” helped him.

John shares how connection to people is vital in recovery. He states, "What worked best for me was working with other people who had similar issues. There was a saying in the treatment program, 'Identify, but don't compare.'"

Patrick, a construction worker who is 8 years in recovery, was highly stigmatized in the ED until a welcoming encounter with an ED provider who showed genuine interest in him.

Stephanie, a mother and homeowner who is 6 years in recovery, shares her experiences and achievements.

Jade Malcho, MD, an emergency physician certified in addiction medicine, expresses the opportunity to make a difference.

Nicholas Nacca, MD, cares for patients in the ED and also has a background in addiction medicine. When working with patients with SUD, he tries to learn more about their experiences, and he encourages other providers to have these discussions.

Tim Wiegand, MD, is an emergency and addiction medicine physician. ED visits are “an opportunity” and “welcoming is so important,” he says.