Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs最新文献

Citizenship is considered intertwined with recovery, and may be a useful perspective for advancing quality of life among marginalised groups. Yet, matters of citizenship among persons with co-occurring substance use and mental health problems are underrepresented both in research and practice. Aims: In order to measure citizenship among persons with co-occurring problems in a Norwegian study, a measure of citizenship was translated from English to Norwegian. The aims of the study were to 1) translate and adapt the Citizenship Measure, developed by Rowe and colleagues at the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, to Norwegian, and 2) to assess the internal consistency and convergent validity of the Norwegian translated measure. Methods: The translation process was carried out using forward and back translation procedures. To examine measurement properties, a convenience sample of 104 residents with co-occurring problems living in supported housing completed the measure. Results: Two factors were identified, related to rights, and to relational citizenship. The Norwegian translation of the Citizenship Measure showed high internal consistency and adequate convergent validity. Conclusions: We argue that the measure can be useful in assessing perceived citizenship, and in initiating efforts to support citizenship among persons with co-occurring problems.

Aim: This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. Methods: A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports. Sustained risk level reduction throughout the whole follow-up was also assessed as secondary outcome. Results: Both interventions were significantly associated with a shift to a lower level of risky alcohol use (75% among participants in the brief structured intervention, and 70% in the usual care group) after 12 months. There was no difference between the two interventions in the proportions changing alcohol use or sustaining risk level reduction. Conclusion: In the context of telephone helplines, minimal and extended interventions appear to be equally effective in promoting long-term change in alcohol use.

Background: The aim of this study was to document employees' experiences of changes in service provision for substance use disorders (SUDs) during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark (spring 2020), as well as to examine their relation to challenges in meeting the service users' needs. Methods: Employees (N = 373) working in SUD treatment and harm reduction services completed an online survey soon after the first national lockdown. The survey included questions about changes in service provision during the lockdown, perceived concerns of the service users, and challenges in meeting the users' emerging needs. Results: Employees reported some positive changes in service provisions, such as increased flexibility in appointments, administering medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and use of telehealth. Negative changes were related to reduced contact with practitioners and harm reduction facilities. Approximately one third of employees reported significant challenges in meeting the users' emerging needs. This was particularly so when users' concerns were about physical and mental well-being, and substance use. In regression models, negative changes in the access to practitioners and MAT administration (but not other changes) predicted difficulties meeting the users' needs. Conclusion: Employees in SUD treatment and harm reduction services in Denmark experienced both positive and negative changes as a result of the first lockdown. However, not all the provision changes were linked to challenges in meeting the users' needs. We discuss practical and research implications of our findings with a focus on the users' physical and mental health, use of telehealth, MAT, and overall service reorganisation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the narratives of former substance use disorder (SUD) inpatients about substance use after their discharge from long-term SUD treatment in 2017. Method: We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 11 former inpatients of SUD treatment. The data were analysed using a qualitative, thematic analysis model. Findings: During the analysis, two main themes emerged pertaining to participant reflections on substance use - their experience of non-problematic substance use (that is, substance use without declining into pre-treatment levels of misuse behaviours) and problematic substance use (that is, substance use associated with destructive patterns). All participants except one had engaged in substance use after their discharge three to four years ago. The commonly used substance was alcohol, which also appeared to be the most common substance for which there was consensus among the informants regarding non-problematic use. Conclusions: Most of the participants continued to use substances in some way, and some reported that such use did not affect them negatively. Healthcare providers and therapists in SUD treatment should avoid defining a relapse or failed treatment outcome in concrete terms. What is perceived as an actual relapse or a failed treatment outcome is highly subjective. Furthermore, complete sobriety might not necessarily be the best or the only way to measure the SUD treatment stay. An improvement in the quality of life and well-being, even when core symptoms are still present, may be considered a successful treatment outcome.

Research on doping usually has focused on social and individual problems, such as AAS-use in relations to substance abuse, criminality and health issues. The purpose of this study was to analyze the meaning of positive experiences of doping with Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS), outside the traditional sports competition context. Eight respondents with own AAS-experiences were interviewed. The theoretical framework was elaborated from Giddens' discussion on individuals' self-reflexivity and the construction of the self-identity in the late modern age. The respondents' narratives were analyzed in four themes: (1) To be big and strong - masculine self-identity; (2) Revenge and to become a part of a community; (3) AAS and training as an "exit" from risk behavior and substance use; (4) Euphoria generator and anxiety reducer. The themes were analyzed as different processes of the respondents' constructions of new self-identities and lifestyles using their reflexive bodies in body regimes where weight training and use of AAS were crucial.