Background
Mapping of stigma with stigma's underlying meanings such as discrimination, exclusion, power disadvantage, labelling, stereotyping and prejudice, and how these have an impact on people with addiction when they seek care. With a theoretical starting point in person-centred care, where the meeting between patients and health care personnel is in focus.
Aim
To describe experiences of stigma in patients with substance addiction in the encounter with healthcare from a patient perspective.
Method
A non-systematic literature review, consisting of 17 peer-reviewed articles with a selection of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, found in CINAHL and PubMed. Quality reviewed according to Sophiahemmet University's assessment tool for scientific classification and quality regarding studies with a quantitative and qualitative method approach.
Results
The patients' statements about clear cases when they experienced stigma, discrimination, lack of or non-existent treatment due to their addiction, in various care and medical care contexts. With data and statements about good and bad meetings, as well as suggestions for improvement for how a meeting can be done to reduce stigma. Consequences of an expected or perceived stigmatized treatment, where failure to provide care, follow-up, and reluctance to rehabilitate are serious side effects.
Conclusions
There is a great deal of mistrust between staff and patients, from both sides. The patients feel that they do not receive the care and concern they are entitled to and are only treated as a problem. Deficiencies in treatment arise when patients do not get the abstinence or pain relief, they think they need. This lack of treatment leads to many patients leaving the hospital without completing their treatment.