If you work in services that support people affected by alcohol and other drug use, you may have a prepared response when someone asks what you do for a living. Workers in other countries have described keeping their job description deliberately vague to avoid awkward reactions. Others report assumptions that they use drugs themselves, having their qualifications questioned, or feeling that their work is not viewed as a legitimate career. The evidence remains limited, but the findings to date suggest that stigma by association has consequences for workforce wellbeing and retention. Studies have linked it to poorer wellbeing, burnout, emotional exhaustion, lower job satisfaction, and stronger intentions to leave the sector, while qualitative research also indicates that managing stigma can become an accepted. – yet largely unrecognised – part of the role for many workers.

Much of this evidence comes from international settings, but the limited UK evidence suggests that negative stereotypes about people affected by alcohol and other drugs may also extend to the professionals who support them. One small survey of public perceptions found that professionals specialising in substance use were rated as less empathetic, agreeable, predictable, and conventional than those treating depression.

Workers’ accounts also indicate that these experiences are not limited to interactions with the public – some report encountering stigma within the wider health and social care system, where attitudes towards substance use can influence referral pathways and create barriers to collaboration between services. Stigma by association may therefore affect client outcomes as well as individual wellbeing.

This matters at a time when workforce pressures remain a major concern. An Ipsos survey for OHID of the English alcohol and drug workforce found that 25 per cent of respondents felt their work was not valued or understood by other organisations or wider society, while 28 per cent were either strongly considering leaving the workforce or had definite plans to do so within two years. The implications for wellbeing, sickness absence, recruitment and retention are considerable.

To begin to fill this evidence gap, we’ ve launched a new UK study of stigma by association in the alcohol and other drug workforce. The survey explores how staff and volunteers believe they are viewed and treated because of the people they support, distinguishing between experiences involving the general public and those involving other professionals. It also examines wellbeing, burnout, job satisfaction, organisational support, career intentions, and the role of lived or living experience and its disclosure in the workplace.

We are seeking participants aged 18 or over who currently work or volunteer in a UK alcohol and other drug treatment, recovery, or harm reduction service – regardless of role. At this stage, local authority commissioners and individuals directly employed by the NHS are not eligible, although future phases of the research will include these groups.

The survey takes about 15 minutes and is anonymous. Participants can also enter a prize draw at the end to win shopping vouchers. This is not an audit or a benchmarking exercise, and nothing will be reported about individuals, services, or teams. Several

To begin to fill the evidence gap, we’ ve launched a new UK study of stigma by association in the alcohol and other drug workforce.

organisations have already agreed to distribute the survey among their staff and volunteers. If an invitation reaches you through your workplace, we encourage you to take part.

We’ ll share the findings widely across the sector, including via DDN, webinars and conference presentations. They could help services better understand the challenges faced by staff and volunteers, strengthen wellbeing and retention programmes, improve partnership working, and ensure that the contribution of this workforce is better recognised and valued.

Harry Sumnall is professor in substance use at Liverpool John Moores University h. sumnall @ ljmu. ac. uk

If you would like to help fill the evidence gap and participate in our study of stigma by association please fill in the survey at https:// tinyurl. com / 2rxu338n

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