Abstract

Background

People who inject drugs are subjected to great stigmatization in many parts of the world. How they deal with stigma is closely linked to how stigma means to them. Understanding the strategies individuals employ to cope with these negative attitudes and what resources they mobilize in this process gives useful insights for clinical work and policy development.

Methods

We conducted 12 months of field observation in 2017 and 2018 and 54 in-depth interviews with people who inject drugs in Haiphong, Vietnam. Grounded theory underpinned our sampling and data analysis.

Results

The strategies participants used to manage stigma were both information and tension management. Many participants not only concealed their drug use but actively cultivated a pro-social image based on Vietnamese cultural virtues such as selflessness, hard work or harmonious living with others. Participants withdrew from social relationships to distance themselves from the stereotype of a money-begging drug user. They used techniques of neutralization to emphasize their good character and reframe their drug-related issues in a different light in order to negotiate their social status with their interlocutors.

Conclusion

People who inject drugs endorse the same social values and aspirations as nonusers. A good support structure and resources could help them to cope more effectively with stigma.

中文翻译：

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“我不像别人”：在越南注射毒品的人的耻辱导航

摘要

背景

注射毒品的人在世界许多地方都受到极大的侮辱。他们如何对待污名与污名对他们的意义密切相关。了解个人用来应对这些负面态度的策略，以及他们在此过程中调动了哪些资源，可以为临床工作和政策制定提供有用的见解。

方法

我们在2017年和2018年进行了为期12个月的现场观察，并对越南海防市的注射毒品者进行了54次深入采访。扎实的理论为我们的抽样和数据分析奠定了基础。

结果

参与者用来管理污名的策略是信息管理和张力管理。许多参与者不仅隐瞒自己的毒品使用，而且还根据越南的文化美德，例如无私，努力工作或与他人和谐相处，积极树立亲社会的形象。参与者退出了社交关系，以远离乞讨毒品者的刻板印象。他们使用中和技术来强调自己的品格，并以不同的眼光重新审视与毒品有关的问题，以便与对话者谈判其社会地位。

结论

注射毒品的人认同和不吸毒者相同的社会价值观和愿望。良好的支持结构和资源可以帮助他们更有效地应对耻辱感。