An exploration of recovery competence among Norwegian peer workers in substance abuse services

Abstract

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.

The Norwegian Barents Pride Festival: Reflections on bravery for LBGTQI+ activists from Russia

“…The interviews began with the open question "Can you tell me about Barents Pride?". The open questions were designed to elicit a reflective narrative account (Thornhill et al 2004) where the interviewees were invited to speak as freely as possible (Sørly, Sivertsen and Stalsberg Mydland 2021). As the interviews were done on Microsoft Teams, talking to Norwegian researchers would entail a risk for the Russian interviewee.…”