[Webinar] Findings from Addiction Stigma in America: How Public Knowledge Shapes Attitudes Toward Recovery

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This webinar explored findings from a nationally representative study examining addiction knowledge in the United States and how it shapes attitudes toward individuals in recovery and support for public health policies.

Conducted by the Addiction Policy Forum, Gallup, and researchers from the University of Delaware, the study identified critical gaps in addiction knowledge. Findings showed that nearly one in four U.S. adults did not recognize addiction as a health condition, and many reported low confidence in identifying symptoms or knowing where to find reliable information. These knowledge gaps were associated with lower support for evidence-based treatment, reduced willingness to help others, and higher levels of stigma toward people in recovery.

During the webinar, presenters reviewed the study's design, methodology, and key findings related to addiction knowledge, stigma, and self-efficacy. Speakers discussed how improving addiction literacy can positively influence attitudes, behaviors, and support for evidence-based policies, while highlighting the importance of increasing public understanding to expand access to treatment, strengthen recovery support, and improve patient outcomes.

The full findings are summarized in the report, Addiction Stigma in America: How Public Knowledge Shapes Attitudes Toward Recovery.

Speakers

• Jessica Hulsey, Founder and Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum

• Valerie A. Earnshaw, Ph.D., Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware

• Mary Kathryn Aviles, Account Leader of Global Analytics, Gallup