AN EXPLORATION OF INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY FOR SUBSTANCE-USE DISORDER AND THEIR EXPERIENCES OF ENGAGING IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES
Abstract
Background: Figures from 2019 revealed that Scotland has by far the most drug-related deaths
per capita than any other European country. 1264 people died from reported drug misuse in
Scotland in 2019, which is a 6% increase from the year prior and three times higher than it was
a decade ago. The literature reveals that suffering from a substance-use disorder can have a
negative impact on an individual’s ability to participate and perform meaningful occupations.
Additionally, it was found that as individuals become entrenched in substance-use, they
abandon all occupations not associated with using substances, which results in an occupational
imbalance and a loss of occupational identity. Although positive recovery results have been
reported using occupation-based interventions to treat substance-use disorder and
occupational therapy has been acknowledged as a suitable service to treat mental illnesses
such as substance-use disorder, the frequency of occupational therapist’s working in substance
use treatment remains minimal. The occupational therapy literature requires a more robust
evidence-base to highlight and promote the value of this profession for those living with
substance-use disorder. In order to align with the overarching ethos of providing client
centered care, further research should explore the experiences of individuals who are utilizing
occupational therapy services. The current literature lacks the inclusion of these perspectives of
individuals seeking recovery, therefore further research is required to explore their experiences
of engaging with occupational therapy services in their journey of recovery from substance-use
disorder.
Aim: This research aims to explore individuals with substance-use disorder’s experiences of
occupational therapy services.
Design: An interpretive phenomenological approach will be used to collect data from 7
participants using a semi-structured interview designed to capture detailed descriptions of
participants’ experiences of engaging with occupational therapy services within a 15-bed
inpatient hospital ward.
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Expected outcome: The hope of this research is to contribute towards the current occupational
therapy evidence-base by uncovering the positive experiences of individuals who engage with
occupational therapy, while providing applicable recommendations to existing services which
could better address and facilitate recovery.