86% of drug researchers have used substances at some point in their lives, with 47% admitting to using them in the past three months, a 2024 study from New York University revealed.
The research, Updated in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports and led by scientist Danielle Ompad and her team, surveyed 669 researchers across 43 countries. It raises the question: Can personal drug experience enhance the quality of drug research, or does the stigma surrounding it hinder academic credibility?
While some researchers believe that their personal experiences with drugs provide valuable insights into their research questions, others fear that this same experience might discredit their work within the academic community.
The Stigma Surrounding Drug Researchers
As the study highlights, “Drug use experiences can positively inform research- but stigma is a barrier.” This stigma impacts how researchers perceive themselves and how they are viewed by their peers and the public. The study noted that only 17.8% of respondents considered themselves “out” (or open) about their drug use, showing that the majority prefer not to disclose this information in professional settings.
Disclosure is a particularly delicate matter. While 59% of researchers who have used drugs shared this information with colleagues within their institutions, only 11% disclosed it in the context of their research or grant applications. Although some believe their personal drug use enriches their work, many are concerned that it may negatively affect how their scientific objectivity is perceived.
“Researchers believe drug use could strengthen research questions,” the study noted, acknowledging the value of “experiential knowledge,” meaning that the personal experiences of professionals can contribute to their work.
However, ethical and professional concerns remain, and there is a recognized need to continue the debate and exploration of this topic.
By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo
Photo by Diane Serik on Unsplash
