Coping with the persistence of stigma in recovery: A qualitative examination of the disclosure experiences of people in recovery from problem drug use from the perspective of modified labelling theory
Walmsley, Ian
Authors
Ian Walmsley Ian2.Walmsley@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Abstract
Disclosing a stigmatized identity presents a significant challenge for individuals in recovery from problematic drug use. Recovery is defined here as a socially mediated process that does not necessarily require abstinence but involves improvements across multiple areas of life. The enduring effects of drug use histories are compounded by a societal landscape shaped by stigma, suspicion, and fears of dangerousness tied to illegal drug use. While much has been written about illegal drug use and stigma, less attention has been focused on how individuals in recovery manage their stigmatized identities in personal, social, and employment settings. Drawing on qualitative interviews with twenty-five individuals in recovery and informed by modified labeling theory, this article explores the challenges of disclosure in recovery by focusing on the persistence of stigma concerns, the material and non-material traces of drug histories, and the strategies employed to manage such concerns. It illustrates how criminal records, visible markers on the body, shared narratives with others, and societal labels and stereotypes shape disclosure experiences, particularly during social transitions such as starting a new job or forming new friendships and romantic relationships. This article argues that disclosure is a key aspect of the social process of recovery, as individuals must continually negotiate identity and stigma in new social and employment settings. By examining how stigma is anticipated and managed, it provides new insights into the ongoing challenges of the recovery journey.
Journal Article Type
Article
Acceptance Date
Jun 24, 2025
Deposit Date
Jun 24, 2025
Print ISSN
0091-4509
Electronic ISSN
2163-1808
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed
Peer Reviewed
Keywords
modified labeling theory; problem drug use; recovery; stigma; qualitative research
