The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, along with First Lady Anna Stein, launched a campaign on Monday aimed at dismantling the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. Named Unshame North Carolina (Unshame NC), the initiative seeks to enlighten the public about substance use disorders, and champion the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) as a legitimate treatment path.
"Stigma is deeply rooted and causes real harm to people and communities across North Carolina," the NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai stated. According to the official announcement of NCDHHS, the campaign kick-started during a gathering of the Wake County Drug Overdose Prevention Coalition. Alongside is the launch of a website that features testimonials from North Carolinians who have battled with substance use and are on the road to recovery.
As mentioned by NCDHHS, First Lady Anna Stein has been vocal about the crippling effects of stigma on individuals struggling with addiction. "Many people struggling with substance use don’t seek help because of stigma,” she explained. The battle against such misconceptions is central to the Unshame NC initiative, which spotlights real stories of recovery and promotes modes of treatment like MOUD.
According to NCDHHS, The state's survey has unearthed that a significant 57% of North Carolinians know someone with an opioid use disorder, and yet, knowledge on where to find quality treatment remains scarce, with only 34% being aware of how to seek help. Kelly Crosbie, MSW LCSW, elucidated this challenge: "We’re pairing the stories of people in recovery with a statewide effort to increase access to MOUD, so more people can benefit from evidence-based care." Crosbie's insights underscore the campaign’s core message: recovery is attainable, and support is essential.
In addition, Courtney McKeon, a Senior Vice President for Shatterproof’s National Stigma Initiative, emphasised the importance of eradicating misinformation to make way for care. "While most North Carolinians believe that people with SUD can recover with treatment, stigma and misinformation can create barriers to care," McKeon said, underscoring the capability of Unshame NC to drive change through the experiences of those affected, as per NCDHHS.
The mission of Unshame NC is to foster environments where individuals with substance use disorders can flourish, with both community support and various treatment options available. Interested parties are encouraged to share their stories with the campaign by filling out a Story Sharer Interest Form or joining the Unshame NC coalition.
For those in need of immediate assistance, North Carolina provides an array of crisis services, including the 988 Lifeline Chat and Text - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which operates around the clock. For peer support, North Carolinians can call the 24/7 Peer Warmline at 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762) to speak with specialists who are themselves navigating the path of recovery.
