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Situating Stigma: An Ethnographic Exploration of How Stigma Arises in Interactions at Different Stages of People’s Drug Use Journeys

Author

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  • Fiona Catherine Long

    (School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kirsty Stuart Jepsen

    (School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The association between stigma and drug use has been widely researched. However, to fully understand the nuances of stigma, as experienced by people who use drugs (PWUD), it is argued that we must look at the situations within which stigma is encountered. To obtain an ‘up close’ look at situated stigma, data are drawn from two ethnographic studies—one set in a homeless hostel in the South of England and the other at a substance use service in South Wales. This article explores how PWUD experience and negotiate stigma at different stages of their drug use. We identify three notable themes across these settings. Firstly, ‘othering’ occurs in two distinct ways, by othering the past self or distancing from other PWUDs. Secondly, ‘drug exceptionalism’ is used to justify an individual’s drug use and express frustration at the associations between legality, social harm, and stigma. Finally, in ‘negotiating identities’, individuals present alternate identity roles to either demonstrate clashes in identity or to promote a conventionally positive sense of self. This article contributes to the existing literature on stigma, firstly, by comparing the stigma management strategies of those in active drug use and recovery and, secondly, by using this to highlight the importance of ethnography and situated stigma within this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona Catherine Long & Kirsty Stuart Jepsen, 2023. "Situating Stigma: An Ethnographic Exploration of How Stigma Arises in Interactions at Different Stages of People’s Drug Use Journeys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-12, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:19:p:6894-:d:1255136
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer E. Hoolachan, 2016. "Ethnography and homelessness research," European Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 31-49, January.
    2. Rhodes, Tim & Watts, Louise & Davies, Sarah & Martin, Anthea & Smith, Josie & Clark, David & Craine, Noel & Lyons, Marion, 2007. "Risk, shame and the public injector: A qualitative study of drug injecting in South Wales," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(3), pages 572-585, August.
    3. Jennifer E. Hoolachan, 2016. "Ethnography and homelessness research," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 31-49, January.
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