Leslie Bates urges recognition of recovery tools and challenges misconceptions about addiction.

Senate Bill No. 61 receives approval from Governor Bill Lee.

Supervisors recognize May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to promote well-being in Calaveras.

The initiative targets stigma reduction and prevention of drug-related overdoses through community engagement.

NAMI advocates for mental health, offering resources and support in Lancaster, Chester, and York counties.

Key leaders advocate for removal of HIV criminalization from Pennsylvania law during hearing.

Middle adolescence (corresponding to ages 14-18, when youth typically attend high school) is a potentially critical period for both the development of

Barbolo highlights stigma reduction efforts during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

Mayor Henderson acknowledges New Horizon's efforts in mental health awareness and treatment resources.

Background: Existing literature shows that persons with substance use disorder (SUD) experience different stages of readiness to reduce or abstain from substance use, and tailoring intervention change strategies to these stages may facilitate recovery. Moreover, stigma may serve as a barrier to recovery by preventing persons with SUDs from seeking treatment. In recent years, the behavior change technique (BCT) taxonomy has increasingly become useful for identifying potential efficacious intervention components; however, prior literature has not addressed the extent to which these techniques may naturally be used to recover from substance use, and knowledge of this may be useful in the design of future interventions. Objective: We take a three-step approach to identifying strategies to facilitate substance use recovery: (1) characterizing the extent to which stages of change are expressed in social media data, (2) identifying BCTs used by persons at different stages of change, and (3) exploring the role that stigma plays in recovery journeys. Methods: We collected discussion posts from Reddit, a popular social networking site, and identified subreddits or discussion forums about 3 substances (alcohol, cannabis, and opioids). We then performed qualitative data analysis using a hybrid inductive-deductive method to identify the stages of change in social media authors’ recovery journeys, the techniques that social media content authors used as they sought to quit substance use, and the role that stigma played in social media authors’ recovery journeys. Results: We examined 748 posts pertaining to 3 substances: alcohol (n=316, 42.2%), cannabis (n=335, 44.8%), and opioids (n=135, 18%). Social media content representing the different stages of change was observed, with the majority (472/748, 63.1%) of narratives representing the action stage. In total, 11 categories of BCTs were identified. There were similarities in BCT use across precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages, with social support seeking and awareness of natural consequences being the most common. As people sought to quit or reduce their use of substances (action stage), we observed a variety of BCTs, such as the repetition and substitution of healthful behaviors and monitoring and receiving feedback on their own behavior. In the maintenance stage, reports of diverse BCTs continue to be frequent, but offers of social support also become more common than in previous stages. Stigma was present throughout all stages. We present 5 major themes pertaining to the manifestation of stigma. Conclusions: Patterns of BCT use and stigmatizing experiences are frequently discussed in social media, which can be leveraged to better understand the natural course of recovery from SUD and how interventions might facilitate recovery from substance use. It may be important to incorporate stigma reduction across all stages of the recovery journey.

Morrow County Board of Commissioners approves proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Month.

A new report shows HIV-related giving continuing to fall as infection rates in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and other regions rise. Long-underserved groups, including women and girls, are disprop...

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yg4ZuNWHQlWxn3TeSCRX-A Date: November 21, 2024 Time: 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM (Eastern Time) Webinar

Panelists urge programs that instill self-worth and address criminal conviction stigma.

The stigma surrounding mental illness can take a huge toll on children, youth, adults, and families with mental health concerns. Addressing stigma not

Psychosis and depression carry very different types of stigma, and acknowledging that is crucial to advocacy campaigns.

District explores renaming special education to reduce stigma and enhance access for all students.

Stigma towards individuals living with mental illness still permeates our society today. Stigma remains a major reason individuals and families don’t seek

Council engages faith and business sectors to enhance recovery resources in Hamilton County

Wilkinson's study reveals stigma surrounding schizophrenia affects perceptions of violent crime risk.