ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that belief in a just world would affect the way in which people perceive, explain, evaluate, and react to the stigmatization of substance users after recovery. Regression analysis was used in order to test the prediction of stigmatization of substance users from just world beliefs after controlling for affect of gender and education. Goffman identified three types of stigma: abominations of the body, deviation in personal traits, and tribal stigmas. Some of the blemishes can be attributed to drug users, alcoholics, and people with poor mental health, among others. Public stigma elicits stereotypes that over generalize, misattribute, proscribe, and often condemn the behavior and personal characteristics of people that belong to different marked categories, including drug abusers among other groups. Stigma due to substance use has become increasingly complex due to its association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Leshner has identified several negative beliefs held about individuals who suffer from addiction.
