Can ‘justified disapproval’ be separated from addiction stigma? An empirical focus is required
Published in Addiction Research & Theory, this paper examines that while stigma is widely recognised as harmful, some argue it can act as a deterrent to addiction.
This paper challenges that idea, examining whether so-called “justified disapproval” can be separated from stigma—or whether it simply reinforces it.
Drawing on evidence from social norms, behavioural science, and addiction research, the authors argue that attempts to use moral disapproval as a tool are likely to backfire. Instead, they call for approaches that address the broader social and structural drivers of addiction.