Stereotypes of Addiction in the United States: A Descriptive and Experimental Approach to Identifying Addiction Stereotypes and the Effectiveness of Positive-Counterstereotype Stigma-reduction Tactics

Millions of individuals worldwide are affected by addiction, and stigma has been identified as a major barrier to recovery. However, the addiction literature has primarily researched addiction stigma broadly, with little information about distinct, drug-specific perceptions that permit the development of tailored interventions. This thesis extends the research by developing a comprehensive catalogue of perceptions of drug addictions and further examined one way these descriptions can be leveraged for social good. Across four studies (N = 451), I developed an adjective list appropriate for use with substance use disorder research (Pilot study). This list was used to catalogue the most stereotypical and counter-stereotypical adjectives associated with 14 drug categories (Study 1a), and further classify them according to valence (Study 1b). Finally, I tested whether a tailored, positive counter-stereotypic intervention was effective in reducing negative perceptions towards people addicted to cocaine (Study 2). The downstream consequences of these findings are discussed.