Former drug users' lived experiences in cities of Edinburgh (Scotland) and Vilnius (Lithuania)

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative research project was to examine the former drug users' lived experiences in both cities of Edinburgh (Scotland) and Vilnius (Lithuania). Moreover, the study sought to analyse and understand of how stigma impacts the daily lives of individuals being in drug recovery process in two different treatments such as 12-step fellowship and Methadone maintenance programme. Through a thematic data analysis of 8 semi-structured interviews, the research projected uncovered that for the majority of participants, public stigma was one of the significant factors related with their sense of insecurity and loneliness. Most of the participants indicated necessity to raise awareness about drug addiction and former drug users' lived experiences in both cities of Edinburgh and Vilnius. Furthermore, research results indicated that participants who were in methadone maintenance treatment had numerous health issues whereas for those on a 12-step fellowship the overall outcomes has less psychological and physical side-effects. However, all of the interviewees agreed that the desire to use drugs has been reduced and even abolished due to the positive effects of both drug recovery programmes.