Introduction If you are in practice for any amount of time (if you have not already), you will encounter a patient who either is struggling with a substance use disorder or has struggled with this in the past. Without realizing it, we providers may have beliefs, attitudes, assumptions, thoughts, or ideas that are biased or stigmatizing to others, or use biased or stigmatizing words and language. In this discussion, use the following questions to examine your own biases or potential for stigmatizing others affected by substance use. Directions In your initial post, please address at least three of the following questions: What are your personal beliefs about why people become addicted or use substances? Do you believe that some addictions are easier to recover from than others? Why? What are your beliefs about recovery and how that looks (such as behaviors, actions, and so on)?
