'Addiction never seems to be historic': how older women in recovery from illicit drug use experience stigma within their practitioner-patient communications

Background:
This qualitative study examines how women in recovery from illicit drug use perceive their communications with health care professionals when seeking care for various health issues and how these communications impact their health-seeking behaviors.

Methods:
In-depth qualitative interviews were undertaken with 19 women in the UK, aged over 35 who self-identified as ‘in recovery’ from illicit drug use. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The themes explored are encountering stigma, being listened to, consistent relationships and professional attributes.

Results:
Overcoming the stigma associated with a former drug-user identity was an ongoing process in the women’s encounters with health care professionals. Remembering interactions with medical staff shaped the women’s views of health care professionals and their health seeking in recovery. Satisfaction with health care provision was facilitated by consistent relationships and communication strategies in which the women’s views were listened to, acknowledged and acted upon by health care professionals.

Conclusion:
Implications for policy and practice suggest improvements in health care communication strategies. Future directions in health care provision should seek ways to reduce stigma and improve communication between health care providers and women with illicit drug using histories on a range of health issues.