BackgroundAlcohol is consumed almost worldwide and is the most widely used recreational drug in the world. Harmful use of alcohol is known to cause a large disease-, social- and economic burden on society. Only a few studies have examined the relationship between CAM use and alcohol consumption. To our knowledge there has been no such research in Norway. The aim of this study is to describe and compare alcohol consumption and injuries related to alcohol across gender and different CAM approaches.MethodsThe data used in this study is based on questionnaire data gathered from the sixth Tromsø Study conducted between 2007 and 2008. Information on CAM use and alcohol consumption was available for 6819 women and 5994 men, 64.8% of the invited individuals. Pearson chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests were used to describe the basic characteristics of the participants and to calculate the differences between men and women regarding these variables. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between the different CAM approaches and alcohol consumptions and injuries caused by drinking.ResultsWomen who drank alcohol more than once a month were more likely to have applied herbal or “natural” medicine and self-treatment techniques (meditation, yoga, qi gong or tai-chi), compared to those who never drank, and those who only drank monthly or less. For women, an association was also found between having experienced injuries caused by drinking and use of self-treatment techniques and visit to a CAM practitioner. No association was found between amount of alcohol consumed and use of CAM approaches. For men, an association was found between injuries caused by drinking and use of herbal or “natural” medicine.ConclusionThe findings from this cross-sectional study suggests that women who drink frequently are more likely to use “natural” medicine and self-treatment techniques. Both men and women who had experienced injuries because of their drinking were more likely to have used CAM approaches.

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The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures required to address it has brought on major challenges to health-care systems worldwide, and particularly to vulnerable populations. Individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health distress (dual diagnosis-DUD) may be particularly vulnerable as the pandemic may increase the extent and severity of drug abuse and mental health issues. The challenges in maintaining treatment during the pandemic lockdown has urged also Norwegian peer recovery services to rethink their organization.Within the field of substance abuse treatment and recovery, collaboration between the public health system and nonprofit organizations is increasingly recognized as an essential part of innovation and development in the field (1,2). The peer recovery services the authors are involved in, as researchers, are low threshold for people living with DUD in Norway, where they get their own recovery coaches to help them with their everyday life and drug-free activities. Use of peer recovery services has provided a new form of expertise and avenues for building trust between people struggling with substance abuse and mental health distress and service providers. Systematic reviews based on international studies of peer-delivered recovery support for people living with DUD also show promising results including reduced substance use and relapse rates, greater treatment satisfaction, improved relationship between with treatment providers, and increased treatment retention (3-5).

Peer recovery services (PRS) in Norwegian municipalities fill a gap in available care in mental health care and/ or substance abuse treatment. In this qualitative study, we interviewed six peer recovery workers (PRWs). Our aim was to explore how the PRWs understood their competences as vital for carrying out the work in PRS. Through a thematic analysis, we found themes the PRWs recognize as important in their recovery competence. The findings can be of practical relevance to those aiming to develop more recovery oriented mental health distress and substance abuse services.

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