“A Problem Like This Is Not Owned by an Individual”

Abstract

The main aim of this article is to explore the dynamics of encounters between treatment institutions and families dealing with substance use. What kind of possibilities do such encounters offer, and what kind of processes do they facilitate? Based on interviews with 10 families recruited from three alcohol and other drug treatment centers in Norway, positioning theory is used as an analytical tool to address the dynamics and negotiation (1) between service providers and families when it comes to the possibilities for treatment and support and (2) between family members during the course of treatment. Three main storylines are analyzed in interviews with families about encounters with treatment: (1) the medical storyline, (2) storylines of autonomy, and (3) storylines of connection. These storylines positioned affected family members, respectively, as outsiders, as in need of help in their own right, and as part of an affected family. The medical storyline is revealed as being insufficient to deal with the problems associated with substance use-it needs to be extended by family-involving storylines facilitating processes of reintegration and repositioning within families.

A Comprehensive Approach to Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Recovery: Former Patients’ Experiences and Reflections on the Recovery Process Four Years After Discharge from SUD Treatment

“…In particular, family, partners, and friends were mentioned as both resources and as people who caused trouble and pain. This is in line with former research on recovery, which emphasised the importance of social relationships during a recovery-process [22,31,35,43,44].…”

Locked Up and Locked Out: Client Perspectives on Personal Relationships While in Compulsory Drug Treatment

“…This stands in contrast to what other studies in the mental health field have highlighted, namely that the power imbalance between staff and clients is a major contributing factor identified by people who have had negative experiences of compulsory detainment (Ford et al, 2015;Nyttingnes et al, 2016;Ridley & Hunter, 2013). Considering the social relationships of people using drugs in general, previous Nordic research has mainly focused on affected family members' experiences (Norvoll et al, 2018;Richert et al, 2018;Schanche Selbekk et al, 2018;Skogens & Von Greiff, 2014). Studies focusing on youth drug treatment suggest that social relationships are a key component in treatment engagement for adolescents (Best & Lubman, 2017), a finding that resonates with similar studies on adult populations (Dobkin et al, 2002;Kidorf et al, 2016;Orford et al, 2006;Storbjörk, 2009;Veseth et al, 2019).…”

Characteristics of Seekers of Couple Therapy for Alcohol Use or Gambling Disorder

“…Addiction services typically provide services for affected others individually and treat them separate from the individuals with addiction, and often rejecting partners’ involvement in addiction treatment and individualizing their concerns 14 . Treating affected others and the addicted patient separately isolates family members from each other who are in fact closely connected in their interactions in real life 44 . Those seeking couple therapy in this RCT attests to the couples’ needs and the long-standing gap in couple-based service.…”

“…14 Treating affected others and the addicted patient separately isolates family members from each other who are in fact closely connected in their interactions in real life. 44 Those seeking couple therapy in this RCT attests to the couples' needs and the longstanding gap in couple-based service.…”