ABSTRACT
Unlike most mental health diagnoses, substance use disorders were initially conceptualized as being a moral issue, placing blame on the person using substances and attributing their use to their lack of self-control. This substance use origin story is partially responsible for the heavy stigma disproportionately placed on minoritized individuals with substance use disorders. Although medical conceptualizations of substance use disorders have evolved over time, what is not considered is how media (commercials, movies, and social media) have also contributed to the cultural stigma associated with substance use. The fresh take on substance use history in this chapter will encourage thought-provoking conversation on how we conceptualize substance use as a society as it pertains to cultural differences. This chapter will highlight how various media outlets create subconscious beliefs of what “type” of person uses substances, and how these depictions influence bias. Additionally, this chapter will showcase how these biases influence provider perceptions of individuals who have substance use disorders.
