Disability among patients with opioid use disorders and its relationship with stigma toward substance use

Abstract

Background: From a medical model perspective of substance use disorders (SUDs), opioid use disorders are associated with some degree of disability. This study aimed to assess the disability among patients with opioid use disorders (OUDs) and its relationship with internalized stigma. Methodology: This cross-sectional study assessed patients with SUDs at a tertiary care center. Disability among patients with OUDs was assessed using Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale (IDEAS) while stigma was measured using Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS). Results: Among 168 patients with OUD, the disability was greatest in the domain of work followed by interpersonal activities. About 48.2% and 3.0% of the participants had moderate and severe disability according to IDEAS. Disability (IDEAS) scores had a robust correlation with the stigma (ISMIS) scores (r = 0.453, P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis found that internalized stigma (ISMIS score) was an independent predictor of disability among patients with OUDs (β =0.42, P < 0.01). Conclusions: From a medical perspective, OUDs are associated with considerable disability which has significant correlation with internalized stigma. Designing interventions which can target internalized stigma among patients with OUD may help in reducing the disability associated with it.

Keywords

• Disability
• Indian Disability Evaluation and Assessment Scale
• internalized stigma
• opioid use disorders