A large number of studies have focused on stigma and its health consequences. Drugs related disorders are pointed as the most stigmatized conditions in Latin America. Thus this paper aims to review the scientific literature about social stigma and alcoholism. A systematic review of literature was accomplished among four databases: LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information), PsycInfo, PubMed and SciELO between 1997 and 2007 with these following keywords: stigma, stereotyped attitudes, stereotyping and alcoholism. Nine articles remained after exclusion and inclusion criteria application and were analyzed. In sum, the studies had no objectives, instruments and population convergence, illustrating an absence of a clear stigma measure method. Moreover the number of studies is not increasing as expected. As a public health concern, more funding and research is needed to development of prevention and rehabilitation procedures.
stigma; stereotyping; alcoholism
