Alcohol dependence is one of the most severe and stigmatized mental illness. Self-stigma, based on public stigma, decreases self-efficacy, self-esteem and drinking refusal self-efficacy. Until today little is known about risc factors for self-stigmatization and the influence on social inclusion. From 03/2011 to 09/2011 n=86 persons with alcohol dependence were interviewed in Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania Germany. As a first result the Self-Stigma in Alcohol Dependence Scale (SSAD) showed convergent validity to established measuring instruments for self-stigma in mental illness (ISMI), selft-esteem (SES) and shame (TOSCA-3). Therefore the SSAD-Scale is an appropriate method to measure the process of self-stigmatization in alcohol dependence. Secondly self-stigma is negative associated with social inclusion. Higher self-stigma showed more social exclusion. Furthermore self-stigma was positive associated with childhood trauma, which was reflected in the increased prevalence in the study group. So childhood trauma aggravates self-stigma and therefore it is a risc factor for the process of self-stigmatization. Essential limitations of the study were size and composition of the sample as well as the cross-sectional nature of the investigation. The results of the study can help to improve the medical and psychotherapeutic treatment. So at best social inclusion and finally quality of life of persons suffering from alcohol use disorder can be improved.