Abstract

Background

Although mortality attributed to illicit drugs is a significant contributor to the overall number of deaths worldwide, knowledge relating to the consequences for those bereaved by drug-related deaths (DRDs) is scarce. Since individuals with substance use disorders are prone to stigma, there is an urgent need for knowledge about the occurrence and content of stigmatization of those bereaved by DRDs.

Method

A mixed methods approach was used. In total, 255 participants (parents, siblings, children, partners, other family members and close friends) who had lost a person to a DRD were recruited. Thematic and descriptive analyses were undertaken on data derived from open-ended and standardized questions from a large survey exploring systematically the contents of interpersonal communication experienced by participants following their bereavement.

Result

Nearly half of the respondents reported experiencing derogatory remarks from close/extended family and friends, work colleagues, neighbors, media/social media and professionals. The main themes were dehumanizing labeling, unspoken and implicit stigma, blaming of the deceased and that death was the only and the best outcome. The remarks were negative and powerful despite being directed at people in crisis and originating from individuals close to the bereaved participants.

Conclusion

Individuals bereaved by DRDs experience harsh and stigmatizing communications reflecting the existing societal stigma toward drug users. This contributes to the marginalization of grieving individuals at a time when they may require support. Making people aware that stigma occurs, why it happens and how it is transmitted in society can help reduce it and its adverse consequences.

中文翻译：

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“没什么好哀悼的，他只是个吸毒者”——对因吸毒死亡而失去亲人的人的耻辱

摘要

背景

尽管归因于非法药物的死亡率是全球死亡总数的重要因素，但与药物相关死亡 (DRD) 丧亲者的后果相关的知识却很少。由于患有物质使用障碍的人容易受到污名化，因此迫切需要了解 DRDs 失去亲人的污名化的发生情况和内容。

方法

使用了混合方法方法。总共招募了 255 名因 DRD 丧生的参与者（父母、兄弟姐妹、孩子、伴侣、其他家庭成员和密友）。对来自大型调查的开放式和标准化问题的数据进行了主题和描述性分析，系统地探索了参与者在丧亲后经历的人际交流的内容。

结果

近一半的受访者表示，他们经历过来自亲密/远亲和朋友、同事、邻居、媒体/社交媒体和专业人士的贬损言论。主要主题是非人化标签、不言而喻的污名、对死者的责备以及死亡是唯一和最好的结果。尽管这些言论是针对处于危机中的人并且来自与失去亲人的参与者关系密切的个人，但这些言论是负面而有力的。

结论

DRDs 失去亲人的个人经历了严厉和污名化的沟通，反映了现有的社会对吸毒者的污名。这导致悲伤的人在他们可能需要支持的时候被边缘化。让人们意识到污名的发生、它发生的原因以及它是如何在社会中传播的，可以帮助减少它及其不利后果。