Introduction

Opioid dependence is widely stigmatised. The present study examined the relationship between disgust sensitivity and social distance toward morphine users via various routes of administration (intravenously or orally) and those who used it for medical purposes.

Material and methods

An experimental online study was conducted on 412 participants recruited via social media. The participants assessed their distance from characters in three short vignettes differing according to whether they were either dependent to intravenous or oral morphine or used morphine for medical purposes.

Results

The analysis included 412 participants. Social distance was significantly higher towards individuals dependent to morphine (both intravenous and oral) than those taking morphine for medical purposes, with no significant difference between the two dependent groups. Sensitivity to disgust was positively correlated with social distance in all three groups. Sensitivity to core disgust predicted greater social distance only in the intravenous dependent group, while sensitivity to animal-reminder disgust was a significant predictor in the oral dependent and medical group. Sensitivity to contamination disgust was not a significant predictor in any group.

Discussion

The results indicate that prejudice against people dependent to intravenous or oral morphine may be based on various factors. The use of morphine for medical purposes may also be associated with feelings of disgust, probably due to associations with human frailty and mortality. The limitations of the study include, among others, the overrepresentation of those with experience of using psychoactive substances.

Conclusions

The results highlight the need for further research on the relationship between disgust sensitivity and prejudice against people who use drugs, as well as on tools for measuring disgust sensitivity.