“A huge, unwieldy barrier to push through on a daily basis”: The effects of stigma on AOD workers and workplaces
For many alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers, stigma is not an abstract concept but a daily obstacle that shapes how they feel about their work, their wellbeing, and their place in the sector. This Australian study, published in the International Journal of Drug Policy (2025), analysed survey responses from 190 AOD workers to capture their lived experiences of stigma.
What workers reported:
Being blamed when service users continued to use substances
Feeling the weight of stigma themselves, either as people with lived experience or through association with their clients
Peer workers describing discrimination and a sense of being undervalued in the workplace
Struggling against the structural forces that reinforce negative views of service users and limit what services can achieve
Yet alongside frustration and stress, many also spoke of pride and motivation — describing their work as morally important and personally fulfilling, and seeing compassionate care as part of broader social change.
The authors argue that recognising and addressing stigma should be a core part of AOD service delivery. Organisations need to provide stronger supports for staff while continuing to challenge the wider injustices that stigma creates.