Public stigma and treatment preferences for alcohol use disorders

• Published in: BMC health services research 2023-01, Vol.23 (1), p.76-10, Article 76
• Main Authors: Finn, Sara Wallhed, Mejldal, Anna, Nielsen, Anette Søgaard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol use; Alcohol use disorders; Europe; health care; treatment-seeking; stigma; Alcoholism; Alcoholism - therapy; Care and treatment; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health aspects; Health services; Humans; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental health; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Perceptions; Population; Questionnaires; Social Stigma; Stigma; Stigma (Social psychology); Womens health
• ISSN: 1472-6963; 1472-6963
• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09037-y

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are among the most highly stigmatized medical conditions. Only a minority of individuals with AUD seek treatment, and stigma is one of the most prominent barriers to treatment-seeking. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the associations between stigma and preferences for help-seeking, and the associations between stigma and preferences for treatment seeking. to investigate the associations between stigma and preferences for where to seek help and treatment for AUD. As sub-analyses, associations between stigma, level of alcohol use and preferences for help-seeking and treatment preferences will be analyzed. Cross-sectional design, including n = 3037 participants aged 30 - 65 years, living in Denmark. In 2020, an online questionnaire was administered by a market research company. The questionnaire covered demographics, preferences for help-seeking and treatment for AUD, stigma measured with the Difference, Disdain & Blame Scales for Public Stigma, and alcohol use measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT). restricted cubic spline models were applied to model outcomes. Odds ratios were calculated. A lower level of stigma was associated with a higher probability of preferring formal and informal help-seeking for AUD. Both high and low levels of stigma were associated with a higher probability of preferring to consult general practitioners. Stigma was not associated with other preferences for treatment-seeking, nor trying to change oneself or a passive strategy. The sub-analyses, grouped by level of alcohol use, showed similar results. Stigma is associated with lower preferences for formal and informal help-seeking, however not type of treatment preferred. Future studies should address stigma in relation to other factors of the treatment-seeking process.