Oral histories of mental health and recovery from substance misuse

This study examines the effects of stigma surrounding substance misuse and mental health. The study participants for this research are all recovering opiate addicts who suffer from complex mental pathologies such as depression, anxiety disorder, and PTSD due to past trauma. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and an analysis of relevant anthropological theories, this research describes the various forms of stigma experienced by these individuals. This study shows how recovering addicts, with additional traumas and complex mental pathologies experience stigma in the health care system, from within the 12-step recovery program, and from society. Furthermore, this research describes how these individuals internalize these stigmas. [Key words: stigma, opiate addiction, posttraumatic-stress disorder]