| The full suite of stigma learning modules is now online. Overcoming Stigma now includes three modules, available in French and English. For the two new modules, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) is proud to have partnered with the Community Addictions Peer Support Association. For people who use substances, stigma is a major barrier to wellness and good health. CCSA is committed to changing the conversation around substance use disorders and the stigma learning modules are intended to contribute to this goal. The suite includes: The Pain of Stigma: Recognizing Stigma and its ImpactsInsights on Substance Use: Understanding the Science on Substance Use DisorderStigma Ends with Me: Changing the Conversation about Substance Use Each module uses thought-provoking exercises and videos from experts in the field, including people with lived and living experience of substance use. The modules will help Canadians recognize the various forms of stigma and their devastating impacts. They explain some of the science behind substance use disorders. The modules provide the language we can use to talk about substance use disorder as a medical condition and not a moral failing. We can change the conversation. We encourage you to share these resources with your networks, families and communities, as well as connect them with CCSA and its resources. If you have any questions about the stigma leaning modules or our other work on stigma, please email stigma-stigmatisation@ccsa.ca. The first module, The Pain of Stigma, will help you: * Understand what stigma is and the different types of stigma; * Describe the impact of stigma on people with substance use disorder; and * Recognize the importance of replacing stigmatizing language with person-first language. The second module, Insights on Substance Use, will help you: * Understand that substance use disorder is a health condition, not a choice or a moral failing; * Recognize the many different paths to developing a substance use disorder; * Describe how substance use affects the brain; and * Recognize the role that trauma may play in the development of substance use disorders. The third module, Stigma Ends with Me, will help you: * Acknowledge that words matter when it comes to people seeking help for substance use disorders; * Recognize stigmatizing language and adopt more positive word choices; * Recognize that stigma is a barrier to recovery for people seeking treatment; * Describe the positive impact of eliminating stigmatizing behaviour, attitudes and language; and * Understand the importance of supporting people with substance use disorders. |