Stigma, Treatment Effectiveness, and Policy: Exploring Jewish Israeli Attitudes Towards Addiction Based on a National Sample

The goal of this study was to explore people’s attitudes and opinions regarding addiction in Israel, among the general population and different sociodemographic categories. A national Internet-based survey (N = 2008) was conducted to examine attitudes within the adult Jewish Israeli population regarding feelings of shame, blame, alienation, and social discrimination towards people with an addiction, and opinions on treatment, awareness of resources, and public policy. Respondents held significantly negative views towards people experiencing an addiction. Women, more religious, older, and less-educated respondents expressed more stigmatizing attitudes, yet almost the same groups also expressed more supportive opinions regarding treatment and policy. Significant positive associations were found between several of these stigmatizing attitudes and supportive opinions. The association between stigmatizing attitudes and supportive opinions indicates both public support for policy change and the continued need for robust anti-stigma efforts. To improve these efforts, specific subpopulations with higher levels of stigma must be targeted. Policy makers should work towards building public health-focused policy and adapting anti-stigma efforts accordingly.