The hunt for a job: narrating the process of gaining employment for people in recovery from lives dominated by drug use

Robertson, Inger Eide; Sagvaag, Hildegunn; Selseng, Lillian Bruland; Nesvaag, Sverre

doi:10.1080/09687637.2021.1973962

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…At the same time, we also need to consider the possibility that conventional notions of employment and productivity may have risked guiding both the researchers and the participants in our study. The Norwegian context is characterized by low unemployment, high job security, and an extensive welfare system, 35 which may have led to normative ideals about lifestyles and standards in the present study. We will therefore need to remind ourselves that our study findings also emphasize the importance of activities in addition to work, underscoring the need to expand what we view as normal, viable, and valuable today.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“And Then the Rest Happened”— a Qualitative Exploration of the Role that Meaningful Activities Play in Recovery Processes for People with a Diagnosis of Substance use Disorder

et al. 2022

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“And Then the Rest Happened”— a Qualitative Exploration of the Role that Meaningful Activities Play in Recovery Processes for People with a Diagnosis of Substance use Disorder

et al. 2022

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“…As well, some scholars posit the need to carefully consider how capital is framed and whether or not it reflects true resources for those in the recovery experience or rather if it aligns with the broader societal norms in its expectation of normalcy (e.g. work and the neoliberal labour market) [38,39]. One possible solution is the development of a modular approach, in which there are common (universal) domains, but that there are modular factors for specific populations.…”

Section: Conceptual Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The science of recovery capital: where do we go from here?

Best

Hennessy

2021

Addiction

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Background The concept of recovery capital (RC) has emerged in studies and discussions of the addiction recovery process and as a potential metric and marker for recovery gains. Although conceptual and applied development of the concept in the 20 years since the term was coined has increased, there remains insufficient clarity of key domains, factors and best practice research and applications for populations experiencing addiction. We aimed to review progress around the conceptualisation and operationalisation of RC and to consider future directions for a science of recovery capital. Method We provided a brief overview of theoretical foundations and advances, empirical measurement and application in treatment and continuing care settings. We next introduced four primary areas for addiction science to address, namely: (i) conceptual development (e.g. how RC domains are unique, but interrelated entities, valence of RC), (ii) empirical testing, adequacy of measurement and analysis, (iii) directions for novel application in treatment and recovery settings and (iv) dissemination and communication to policy, practice and lived experience groups. In this review, we also focussed on some of the challenges that must be addressed for a science of RC, which could produce long‐term impact in treatment and policy. Results Despite burgeoning empirical work on RC, its application and translation has been unsystematic. The field currently relies on self‐report questionnaires for the development of the theory and quantification of RC. Therefore, there is an urgent need for rigorous and systematic conceptual and empirical development of RC. Conclusions A formal collaboration between scholars, practitioners and experts by experience worldwide would move recovery capital forward in an empirically driven and culturally appropriate manner, as would testing its applicability at individual, organisational and societal levels.

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“…While heavy substance use causes serious problems for working life, research also recognises that heavy users often try to continue working as long as possible since it makes their lives more meaningful, helps them to keep their daily routines and motivates them to maintain "normality" and represent themselves as responsible "good citizens" (Cebulla et al, 2004). Correspondingly, lack of employment may create a feeling of personal failure, resulting in experiences of shame and worthlessness (Robertson et al, 2021a(Robertson et al, , 2021b. In order to continue their working lives, heavy substance users may need to develop techniques to use substances when working.…”

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confidence: 99%

Performing normality in working life among heavy substance users

Gunnarsson

Törrönen

2022

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

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Aim: Work is an important part of most people's everyday lives and well-being. Substance use by employees is associated with several negative consequences, such as absence from work and poor work performance. The study examines the strategies through which people who have problems with substance use produce a “normal” self and avoid becoming stigmatised in the workplace. Methods: The study uses data from in-depth unstructured life story interviews, which were conducted over phone with 13 people. The participants had developed various problematic heavy substance use habits. The interviews were analysed by applying interactional analysis and by using Goffman's concepts of “normality”, “embarrassment”, “face-work”, “stigma” and “performance”. Results: The analysis identified multiple strategies the participants used to produce normality and to avoid embarrassment and stigmatisation at work. These include skilful use of drugs in order not to show withdrawal symptoms, various ways of hiding their heavy substance use, frequent change of jobs, the maintenance of a clean and professional look, and attributing the absence from work to mental or physical illness. Moreover, the participants strategically avoided social contacts in which embarrassing situations could arise. When this was not possible, they manipulated their corporeal looks by hiding such kinds of bodily marks that would connote abnormality. Conclusion: The analysis points out that maintaining normality at work does not only refer to the efforts of trying to hide the effects of the drugs on behaviours and the body. It also reveals that the participants used substances to be able to perform energetically their work tasks, and in this way present themselves as normal workers. This ambivalence in performing normality makes the work life of people who use substances challenging.

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The hunt for a job: narrating the process of gaining employment for people in recovery from lives dominated by drug use

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

“And Then the Rest Happened”— a Qualitative Exploration of the Role that Meaningful Activities Play in Recovery Processes for People with a Diagnosis of Substance use Disorder

“And Then the Rest Happened”— a Qualitative Exploration of the Role that Meaningful Activities Play in Recovery Processes for People with a Diagnosis of Substance use Disorder

The science of recovery capital: where do we go from here?

Performing normality in working life among heavy substance users

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