2025 Fall Anti-Stigma Institute

Addiction Policy Forum’s Fall Anti-Stigma Institute was held in Washington, DC, on September 29–30, 2025. Over two powerful days, this training brought together a dedicated group of changemakers—spanning healthcare, public policy, advocacy, criminal justice, peer support, and families—who immersed themselves in the science, strategies, and stories behind ending the stigma around substance use disorders.

Highlights & Impact

• Evidence-based training & certification- Attendees engaged in comprehensive sessions on stigma theory and measurement, learned to deliver the Responding to Addiction and enCompass curricula within their communities, and earned a three-year certification to instruct these trainings.

• Strategic tools for local impact- Participants received actionable toolkits to help drive change in their communities through social media campaigns, prevention resources, and evidence-based training materials.

• Meaningful dialogue- Through guided discussions, attendees shared best practices, reflected on ongoing initiatives in their states and communities, exchanged lessons learned, and co-created new approaches to implement within their organizations.

• Strong network, lasting momentum- The institute fostered close connections, cross-sector collaboration, and accountability among attendees, launching stigma reduction efforts in their communities.

  
  

Kayla Zawislak, APF’s Director of Patient Engagement, led sessions on practical strategies for reducing stigma in healthcare and community settings, highlighting approaches that foster empathy and improve patient outcomes.

One attendee shared, “I just want to thank you for such a great training! It was an incredible day and a half, and I learned so much and got to meet so many great contacts!” Another attendee explained, “Above all, that training was so exceptional. I enjoyed everything. Also, I am so blessed to connect with you and the team. This has been the highlight of my trip.”

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Anti-Stigma Institute. I’m still processing all the information and thinking through how to bring the lessons learned back to my county”, shared a third attendee. “You did an excellent job presenting the material, and I especially appreciated how you created space for all voices in the room to be heard. It takes the right kind of facilitator to cultivate that type of learning environment. My biggest takeaway was that social media campaigns alone are not enough to address stigma related to substance use disorders — a much more extensive and deeper dive into the science of addiction and active myth-busting is essential to create meaningful change.”

Dr. Redonna Chandler of APF’s Scientific Advisory Board contributed insights on advancing science-based approaches to addressing addiction stigma, emphasizing the role of research in shaping equitable systems of care.

Stigma around substance use disorders continues to be one of the biggest barriers to people seeking help. Studies show stigma correlates with delayed treatment, greater dropout rates, and increased psychological distress. The Anti-Stigma Institute is designed to shift that narrative—turning knowledge into practice and isolating stigma into dialogue.

Looking ahead, APF remains dedicated to building partnerships, raising awareness, and supporting initiatives that enable those impacted by addiction to thrive in a stigma-free environment.