Pilot Testing an Asynchronous Online Harm Reduction and Pharmacotherapy Stigma Reduction Training for Substance Use Treatment Professionals

Harm reduction and pharmacotherapy approaches to addressing substance use disorder are evidence-based practices for reducing adverse health outcomes. However, professional stigma toward these approaches impedes implementation. In this pilot study, professionals working in substance use treatment ser...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Sulzer, Sandra H. (Author) ; Prevedel, Suzanne (Author) ; Barrett, Tyson S. (Author) ; Mekjian, Margo (Author) ; Vincent, Mindy (Author) ; Frabis, Felicia (Author) ; Meier, Cris (Author) ; Shiverdecker, Claire Warnick (Author) ; Voss, Maren Wright (Author) ; Cook, Paula J. (Author) ; Madden, Erin Fanning (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Journal of drug issues
Year: 2025, Volume: 55, Issue: 3, Pages: 327-339
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
online learning
Education
Naloxone
overdose prevention sites
Harm Reduction
treatment professionals
Buprenorphine
methadone
medications for opioid use disorder
Stigma
Description
Summary:Harm reduction and pharmacotherapy approaches to addressing substance use disorder are evidence-based practices for reducing adverse health outcomes. However, professional stigma toward these approaches impedes implementation. In this pilot study, professionals working in substance use treatment services received a 4-hour asynchronous online harm reduction and pharmacotherapy training. Pre- and post-training surveys used Likert-scale questions to assess attitudes and planned actions. Four of the 23 survey items demonstrated a significant change in pre- to post-attitudes and planned actions relating to harm reduction or pharmacotherapy. These items included less attitudinal stigma towards: methadone and buprenorphine (p = .021), overdose prevention sites/“drug consumption facilities” (p = .025), and naloxone distribution (p = .017), as well as lower intent to primarily promote abstinence-based interventions (p = .007). This study demonstrated that online asynchronous educational interventions show promise for reducing stigmatizing attitudes towards evidence-based practices among substance use treatment professionals.
ISSN:1945-1369
DOI:10.1177/00220426231226223