‘I don’t really want to speak up because they’re on a different level to me’: The stigma of not engaging in trauma talk

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dc.contributor.authorWindle, James
dc.contributor.authorCronin, Joan
dc.contributor.funderResearch Ireland New Foundations, NF/2024/10896
dc.date.accessioned2026-03-25T16:50:02Z
dc.date.available2026-03-25T16:50:02Z
dc.date.issued2026-03-21
dc.description© 2026, the Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
dc.description.abstractBackground: The stigma attached to substance use disorder (SUD) can prevent entry into, and engagement with, treatment services. This paper provides an initial exploration into what could be an emerging trend using a case study approach. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 women who have used, or were currently using, residential or community-based addiction services in Cork (Ireland). Results: Some participants reported the well documented stigma attached to SUD as a barrier for entry into, and engaging with, the recovery process. Two participants reported feeling ashamed of being unable to identify specific traumas that could account for their substance use. They felt the stereotype of ‘the addict’ having had a traumatic life did not map onto their experiences, and felt stigmatised by others within recovery for this. Consequently, they questioned whether they had a SUD and should access treatment, and this initially prevented them from engaging in therapy. Conclusion: This paper does not refute the association between trauma and SUD. Rather it argues that common misunderstandings of trauma and substance use, and increased use of trauma talk, may have contributed to a new form of stereotype that some with SUDs must navigate.en
dc.description.sponsorshipThis publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland under Grant number NF/2024/10896.
dc.format.extent4
dc.format.extent377611
dc.identifier.articleid105244
dc.identifier.authororcidWindle, James§0000-0001-8367-2926
dc.identifier.authororcidCronin, Joan§0000-0002-1615-5803
dc.identifier.citationWindle, J & Cronin, J 2026, '‘I don’t really want to speak up because they’re on a different level to me’: The stigma of not engaging in trauma talk', International Journal of Drug Policy, vol. 151, 105244, pp. 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105244
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105244
dc.identifier.endpage4
dc.identifier.issn0955-3959
dc.identifier.journaltitleInternational Journal of Drug Policy
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0001-8367-2926/work/209176437
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0002-1615-5803/work/209739053
dc.identifier.startpage1
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/18662
dc.identifier.urlhttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105033253119
dc.identifier.urlhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395926000964
dc.identifier.volume151
dc.language.isound
dc.rightscc_by
dc.subjectSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
dc.subjectAdverse childhood experiences
dc.subjectStigma
dc.subjectSubstance use disorder
dc.subjectTrauma
dc.subjectTrauma talk
dc.subject[SocietyPoliticsEthics]
dc.title‘I don’t really want to speak up because they’re on a different level to me’: The stigma of not engaging in trauma talk
dc.typeArticle (Peer reviewed)
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