Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-89wxm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-05T09:22:22.866Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

4 - Change processes in long-term recovery for individuals with present and former substance-use dependence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2022

Sarah Galvani
Affiliation:
Manchester Metropolitan University
Alastair Roy
Affiliation:
University of Central Lancashire
Get access

Summary

Introduction

This chapter aims to describe the diverse long-term change processes that are often required when individuals with present or former substance dependence want to develop meaning and purpose in their lives. It draws on the author's work in a Norwegian study, the Stayer study, that involves long-term follow-up of people who use, or previously used, substances (Svendsen et al, 2017) . A brief summary of the nature and extent of substance use in Norway, the welfare state model and organisation of substance-use treatment services is presented. The chapter continues with a description and discussion of how the multifaceted term ‘long-term recovery’ is linked to substance dependence and substance-use recovery research. Several examples from the Norwegian Stayer study are provided to illustrate the value of long-term research on change processes in substance-use recovery. Finally, practical improvements for long-term recovery services and research regarding individuals with both present and former substance-use dependence are suggested.

The nature and extent of substance use in Norway

Compared to most European countries, Norway has a low prevalence of inhabitants that use substances, including alcohol and cigarettes. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Norway. In 2017, one in ten young adults reported cannabis use in the previous 12 months, while use of other illicit substances such as MDMA, ecstasy and cocaine is reported to be significantly lower; substance use is mostly reported by young adults, with higher prevalence rates among males than females (EMCDDA, 2019). The number of high-risk drug users in Norway, linked to injecting amphetamines and opioids, primarily heroin, was estimated at around 8,700 in 2016 (2.5 per 1,000 inhabitants aged 15–64 years). Drug-induced deaths among adults (15–64 years) was 75 deaths per million in 2016, the main intoxicant in drug-related deaths being the prescription opioids morphine and oxycodone, surpassing heroin as the most common opioid in overdose deaths (EMCDDA, 2019).

Norwegian government policy and services for substance use

The Nordic welfare state model emphasises activating social policies, such as pension reforms, to stimulate the labour supply, aiming to ensure that every member of society can benefit from the social security net that is made possible through the redistribution of income through tax systems (Dølvik and Martin, 2015).

Type
Chapter
Information
Long-Term Recovery from Substance Use
European Perspectives
, pp. 40 - 52
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×