Stigmatization in the pre-death interactions of family and friends bereaved by a drug-related death.

As part of a larger analysis focused on family members and adult peers bereaved by a drug-related death (DRD), the present study explores how stigmatization is experienced in pre-death interactions. Respondents were asked about the decedent's history of substance use, experiences with addiction treatment, and the events leading up to the DRD through 35 semi-structured qualitative interviews. Findings reveal several themes related to stigmatization experienced before, during, and after addiction treatment. These include experiences of difficulty accessing treatment, pains of separation and isolation involving facilities out of state, and increased hopelessness with repeated relapses following treatment. Conversely, some respondents described positive treatment experiences. In these instances, however, a fatal relapse occurring, often many years after treatment, led to intense feelings of shock. Findings also document how respondents have since used their experiences to advocate for greater access to addiction treatment.