Lived Experiences of Stigma Among Filipino Former Drug Dependents: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

This study is a qualitative phenomenological investigation on the experiences of Filipino former drug dependents who were subject to stigmatization. Seven semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The analysis revealed four themes: (1) discrimination after discovery, (2) psychological consequences, (3) ways of coping, and (4) sense of purpose. Findings suggest that the process of experiencing and overcoming stigma lies in the interplay of social, structural, and internal processes and is underpinned with a desire to improve oneself. Despite these experiences, participants have also learned to move beyond their stigmatized identity and attain a sense of purpose and hope. The role of stigma on help-seeking attitudes and practical implications for intervention and policy reform are also discussed.