Malmö University Publications
Change search
Link to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Publications (10 of 43) Show all publications
Liahaugen Flensburg, O., Richert, T. & Alftberg, Å. (2025). Aging With or Aging Out of Drug Use? Older Adults’ Experiences of Aging with Long-Term Drug Use. Contemporary Drug Problems
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Aging With or Aging Out of Drug Use? Older Adults’ Experiences of Aging with Long-Term Drug Use
2025 (English)In: Contemporary Drug Problems, ISSN 0091-4509, E-ISSN 2163-1808Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

Older adults with long-term drug use have long been overlooked in both drug research and agingresearch. More knowledge is needed about their experiences and needs. Drug use is often seen asa youth phenomenon and as something that with time leads to destructiveness and compulsion. Amore nuanced picture of who uses drugs and what the use may look like over time is necessary.There is limited insight into what it means to age with drug use, based on individuals’ own storiesand experiences. We conducted 27 semistructured interviews in Sweden with individuals aged 55or older who reported current and long-term drug use. In this article, we demonstrate how the relationship with drugs evolves over time and how the interviewees contemplate stopping or continuingtheir use. Three themes were identified: (1) Aging out of drug use: Thoughts on drug cessation. Someexpressed a desire to end their drug use. The reasons behind this varied, but there was a clear patternrelated to older age. (2) Aging with drug use: Thoughts on continued use. Some had a desire to continueusing drugs and expressed concern about how everyday life would be without them. (3) Age adapteddrug use: A change in drug use. Several participants stated that their drug consumption had changedover time and with age. Drugs no longer dominated their lives as before but still served essential functions. The themes should not be seen as rigid categories, but as fluid narratives. Understanding thisvariation provides a deeper insight into people’s often complex relationship with drugs.

Keywords
addiction, aging, drug use, life course perspective, lifestyle perspective, maturing out
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-73117 (URN)10.1177/00914509241312855 (DOI)2-s2.0-85215520167 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Available from: 2025-01-21 Created: 2025-01-21 Last updated: 2025-01-27Bibliographically approved
Alftberg, Å., Liahaugen Flensburg, O. & Richert, T. (2025). Åldras med långvariga narkotikaproblem. In: Hanna MacInnes & Helena Bjurbäck (Ed.), Socialt arbete med äldre människor: att se både utmaningar och möjligheter (pp. 210-228). Stockholm: Liber
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Åldras med långvariga narkotikaproblem
2025 (Swedish)In: Socialt arbete med äldre människor: att se både utmaningar och möjligheter / [ed] Hanna MacInnes & Helena Bjurbäck, Stockholm: Liber, 2025, p. 210-228Chapter in book (Other academic)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Liber, 2025
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-73120 (URN)978-91-47-15270-4 (ISBN)
Available from: 2025-01-21 Created: 2025-01-21 Last updated: 2025-01-24Bibliographically approved
Nordgren, J. & Richert, T. (2024). ‘A free position in midfield' – a qualitative study of faith-based social work with people who use drugs in Sweden. European Journal of Social Work, 27(2), 401-412
Open this publication in new window or tab >>‘A free position in midfield' – a qualitative study of faith-based social work with people who use drugs in Sweden
2024 (English)In: European Journal of Social Work, ISSN 1369-1457, E-ISSN 1468-2664, Vol. 27, no 2, p. 401-412Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Many faith-based organisations (FBOs) provide social work services to marginalised groups in need of care such as people who use drugs (PWUD), but little is known about how diaconal or faith-based social work with PWUD is carried out and how staff view their work. The aim of this study was to explore how social work with PWUD within FBOs in Sweden is conducted. This study is based on semi-structured qualitative interviews with 14 employees at a range of churches in Sweden. The empirical material was analysed with qualitative textual analysis. FBO staff channeled a personal calling to offer services through their organisations and found PWUD be in need mainly of emergency support. Staff engaged in boundary work such as differentiating between activities conducted at the church premises or on the streets. Staff accompanied clients to meetings with publicly funded welfare services to the benefit of the clients, and they appreciated their free role compared to social services staff. FBOs mainly act as stabilisers in relation to official public welfare services. The role of prophetic diaconal work aiming at social justice was limited and clients’ emergency needs were in focus, which indicates that FBOs in Sweden mainly complement welfare state services.

Abstract [sv]

‘En fri position på mittfältet' – En kvalitativ studie om diakonalt socialt arbete med personer som använder narkotika i Sverige

Många diakonala organisationer (FBOs) utövar socialt arbete riktat mot marginaliserade grupper såsom personer som använder narkotika, men vi vet lite om hur diakonalt eller trosbaserat social arbete med denna grupp genomförs och hur personal ser på sitt arbete. Syftet med den här studien var att utforska hur socialt arbete med missbruk och beroende inom diakonala organisationer bedrivs. Studien är baserad på semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer med 14 anställda vid olika kyrkor i Sverige. Det empiriska materialet analyserades med hjälp av kvalitativ textanalys. Personalen kanaliserar ett personligt kall genom att erbjuda sociala insatser via organisationerna och de ansåg att personer med missbruk framför allt behöver akuthjälp. Personalen ägnade sig åt gränsdragningsarbete som att skilja mellan aktiviteter genomförda i kyrkan eller på gatunivå. Personal följde med klienter till möten med socialtjänst för att bistå klienterna och de såg fördelar med den mer fria rollen jämfört med socialtjänstpersonalen. Organisationerna agerar framför allt som stabiliserande i relation till offentliga sociala välfärdsinsatser. Profetiskt diakonalt arbete med fokus på social rättvisa var begränsat och klienternas nödhjälpsbehov var i fokus, vilket indikerar att organisationerna mestadels kompletterar det sociala välfärdssystemet i Sverige.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2024
Keywords
Faith-based social work, diaconal work, social work practice, people who use drugs, trosbaserat socialt arbete, diakonalt arbete, socialt arbete med missbruk, personer som använder narkotika
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-61803 (URN)10.1080/13691457.2023.2227774 (DOI)001019815700001 ()2-s2.0-85164463167 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, P18-0892:1Riksbankens Jubileumsfond
Available from: 2023-08-09 Created: 2023-08-09 Last updated: 2024-04-11Bibliographically approved
Holeksa, J. & Richert, T. (2024). Attitudes towards harm reduction amongst social work professionals in three geographical areas in Sweden. Nordic Social Work Research
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Attitudes towards harm reduction amongst social work professionals in three geographical areas in Sweden
2024 (English)In: Nordic Social Work Research, ISSN 2156-857X, E-ISSN 2156-8588Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

Professionals' understandings of substance use interventions and treatment goals impact treatment recommendations. We aimed to explore social work professionals' (SWP) attitudes towards harm reduction philosophy and measures in three areas of Sweden with very differing development of their harm reduction: Malm & ouml; (most developed), Gothenburg (moderately developed), G & auml;vleborg (least developed). We conducted a survey of SWP working with people who use drugs, utilizing the Harm Reduction Acceptability Scale (HRAS). An ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc correction was performed to assess for differences in mean HRAS score. There were 208 valid survey responses (Malm & ouml;: 79, Gothenburg: 82, G & auml;vleborg: 47). The overall mean score indicated positive attitudes towards harm reduction. Means differed based on geographic location, with Malm & ouml; and Gothenburg scores indicating significantly more positive attitudes towards harm reduction than scores in G & auml;vleborg. Opinions on implementation of new harm reduction measures such as heroin assisted treatment, supervised consumption sites, and decriminalization of drugs for personal use were more negative overall. These opinions followed the above trend, with regard to differences based on geography. Differences indicated that SWP who are more exposed to harm reduction have more positive attitudes. Increased knowledge of harm reduction among SWP could lead to improved access to interventions and reduced risks for people who use drugs.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024
Keywords
Social work, harm reduction, attitudes, substance use, people who use drugs
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-70047 (URN)10.1080/2156857X.2024.2354682 (DOI)001232106200001 ()2-s2.0-85194546947 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-08-01 Created: 2024-08-01 Last updated: 2024-08-01Bibliographically approved
Björkas, R., Richert, T. & Lindroth, M. (2024). Child welfare workers' understanding of gender, sexual orientation and sexual health in assessments of youths with a problematic substance use. European Journal of Social Work
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Child welfare workers' understanding of gender, sexual orientation and sexual health in assessments of youths with a problematic substance use
2024 (English)In: European Journal of Social Work, ISSN 1369-1457, E-ISSN 1468-2664Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

The use of alcohol or illicit substances by youths may be related to sexual motives and experiences. Accordingly, child welfare workers need to address young people's sexuality in their investigative work. In this study, we have examined the significance of different social categories, namely gender and sexual orientation, when child welfare workers assess young people with a substance use and their related sexual health. Fifteen child welfare workers were recruited through a strategic sampling to participate in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results consist of three sub-themes: Sexually vulnerable girls; Boys as perpetrators; and Unseen LGBTQ+ youth. Together, these sub-themes constitute an overarching theme where the heterosexual matrix appears to be the interpretative framework when investigating a problematic substance use. The suggested implications for practice include education in sexual and reproductive health and rights for child welfare workers aiming to achieve an equitable assessment process for all youth with a problematic substance use. 

Abstract [sv]

Socialsekreterares förståelse av kön, sexuell läggning och sexuell hälsa i utredningar av unga med substansmissbruk 

Ungas substansanvändning kan ibland relateras till sexuella motiv och erfarenheter. Det är därför av vikt att socialsekreterare adresserar dylika frågor i barnavårdsutredningar som är fokuserade på ungas eventuella missbruksproblematik. I denna studie har vi därför undersökt hur olika sociala kategorier – kön och sexuell läggning – relateras till ungas sexuella hälsa, men också hur det får betydelse i utredningar av unga med missbruk. Femton socialsekreterare har intervjuats med stöd av en semi-strukturerad intervjuguide, vartefter resultatet analyserats med hjälp av en tematisk innehållsanalys. Det slutgiltiga resultatet ledde fram till tre sub-teman: sexuellt sårbara tjejer; killar som förövare; osynliga HBTQ+ -ungdomar. Dessa tre teman bildar tillsammans ett övergripande tema; den heterosexuella matrisen fungerar som tolkningsram i utredningsarbete av ungas substansmissbruk. Implikationer för praktiken innefattar bland annat utbildning i sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa och rättigheter (SRHR) för socialsekreterare inom den sociala barnavården i syfte att säkerställa jämlika utredningsprocesser för alla unga med substansmissbruk. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Routledge, 2024
Keywords
Child welfare, gender, sexual health, sexual orientation, substance use, K & ouml, n, sexuell h & auml, lsa, sexuell l & auml, ggning, social barnav & aring, rd, substansanv & auml, ndning, Kön, sexuell hälsa, sexuell läggning, social barnavård, substansanvändning
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-70407 (URN)10.1080/13691457.2024.2387020 (DOI)001284977100001 ()2-s2.0-85200434944 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-08-19 Created: 2024-08-19 Last updated: 2024-11-05Bibliographically approved
Björkas, R., Lindroth, M. & Richert, T. (2024). Child welfare workers’ understanding of young people’s sexual health when conducting assessments due to substance use problems. Children and youth services review, 164, 107885-107885, Article ID 107885.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Child welfare workers’ understanding of young people’s sexual health when conducting assessments due to substance use problems
2024 (English)In: Children and youth services review, ISSN 0190-7409, E-ISSN 1873-7765, Vol. 164, p. 107885-107885, article id 107885Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Young people with substance use problems often have an early sexual debut, an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies, and a high risk of experiencing sexual violence. At the same time, according to the national action plan on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), the social services in Sweden have an important role in addressing sexual health in various contexts, such as in child welfare investigations. Therefore, this study has investigated how Swedish child welfare workers understand and relate to sexual health issues in child welfare investigations regarding young people with substance use problems. Following a strategic sampling, 15 child welfare workers were interviewed. The interviews were examined with a thematic content analysis with results showing that sexual health issues represented an area where knowledge was lacking. This was largely connected to that the child welfare workers had not been taught about SRHR in their bachelor’s degree nor in their continued education within the child welfare system. As a result of this, they often developed their own individual, professional approach for assessing sexual health matters, guided by the principle of “not investigating more than necessary”. When addressing sexual health in their assessment work, the child welfare workers primarily focused on risk, vulnerability and exposure. Not assessing young peoples’ sexual health was seen as protecting the right to confidentiality and privacy. In summary, this meant that young people with a problematic substance use were seldom given opportunities to talk about their sexual health, and especially not about positive sexual experiences related to their substance use.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2024
Keywords
Child welfare Child welfare assessment Social worker Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) Substance use problem Young people
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-71484 (URN)10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107885 (DOI)001316446800001 ()2-s2.0-85202668203 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare
Available from: 2024-10-06 Created: 2024-10-06 Last updated: 2025-01-31Bibliographically approved
Stallwitz, A., Nordgren, J. & Richert, T. (2024). ‘Not having a real life’: psychosocial functions of using and selling drugs among young Afghan men who came to Sweden as unaccompanied minors. Journal of ethnic and migration studies, 50(14), 3570-3590
Open this publication in new window or tab >>‘Not having a real life’: psychosocial functions of using and selling drugs among young Afghan men who came to Sweden as unaccompanied minors
2024 (English)In: Journal of ethnic and migration studies, ISSN 1369-183X, E-ISSN 1469-9451, Vol. 50, no 14, p. 3570-3590Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Unaccompanied minors (UM) entering Europe face significant psychosocial challenges. Uncertain residence situations, marginalization during the asylum process, and low levels of support increase their risk of developing mental health and drug use issues. However, little is known about drug involvement (using and dealing) in this group. This is the first study to investigate drug involvement among young adults who entered Europe as UM from their subjective perspectives. We conducted qualitative interviews with 11 Afghan men who came to Sweden as UM in 2015/2016 and had experience of using and/or selling drugs, and analyzed the transcripts based on grounded theory. Drug initiation usually occurred after arrival in Sweden and was related to peer influence. Using and selling fulfilled specific psychosocial functions including self-medication and money-making. ‘Not having a real life’ (being excluded from school, employment, and many social activities) emerged as a central motive for drug involvement. By using or selling drugs, feelings of social belonging and control over one's own life could be experienced. Long, uncertain asylum processes and social exclusion exacerbate the risk of UM and former UM using or selling drugs. Policy and intervention measures must focus on providing this group with support, social inclusion, and meaningful activities.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2024
Keywords
Unaccompanied minors, Sweden, drug use, drugselling, social exclusion
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-64820 (URN)10.1080/1369183x.2023.2290984 (DOI)001128558000001 ()2-s2.0-85180208679 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Riksbankens JubileumsfondRiksbankens Jubileumsfond
Available from: 2024-01-03 Created: 2024-01-03 Last updated: 2024-09-17Bibliographically approved
Richert, T. & Nordgren, J. (2024). Social work with people who use drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study. Nordic Social Work Research, 14(4), 572-585
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Social work with people who use drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study
2024 (English)In: Nordic Social Work Research, ISSN 2156-857X, E-ISSN 2156-8588, Vol. 14, no 4, p. 572-585Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Measures to control the spread of Covid-19 are challenging social work practice in terms of difficulties to deliver services to vulnerable groups. The aim of this study was to investigate how the Covid-19 pandemic affected social work with people who use drugs regarding ways of working, quality of work, accessibility, and staff motivation. A mixed methods approach was used which included an online survey (n = 81), and three qualitative focus group sessions with social workers in the field of addiction. We analysed the quantitative data through frequency calculations, cross tabulations and Pearson’s χ2 test, and the qualitative data with qualitative textual analysis. The demand for physical distancing challenged important principles of social work such as social closeness, trust and accessibility, and led to a difficult work environment and fewer opportunities to conduct high quality social work, as well as a reduced likelihood of vulnerable clients receiving adequate assistance. Altered practices concerning client meetings negatively affected assessments, working alliances as well as motivation and energy in social work practice. Social workers on the frontline became the ‘last outpost’ when other services shut down, and ‘digital bridges’ between clients and other social workers. Social workers faced a difficult trade-off between protecting themselves and clients from the risk of infection and providing support to a vulnerable group. There were also examples of new practices and lessons learned, for example, the introduction of ‘walks and talks’ with clients and an increased knowledge of how and when to use digital tools for communication.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-55994 (URN)10.1080/2156857x.2022.2141839 (DOI)001374530600019 ()2-s2.0-85141616872 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, P18-0892:1
Available from: 2022-11-14 Created: 2022-11-14 Last updated: 2025-01-07Bibliographically approved
Richert, T., Stallwitz, A. & Nordgren, J. (2023). Harm reduction social work with people who use drugs: a qualitative interview study with social workers in harm reduction services in Sweden. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), Article ID 146.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Harm reduction social work with people who use drugs: a qualitative interview study with social workers in harm reduction services in Sweden
2023 (English)In: Harm Reduction Journal, E-ISSN 1477-7517, Vol. 20, no 1, article id 146Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Social work with people who use drugs (PWUD) has traditionally focused on abstinence and rehabilitation. In recent years, harm reduction has gained an increasingly more important role in social work with PWUD, and social workers are key professionals in many harm reduction services. This study investigates how social workers in harm reduction services for PWUD in Sweden understand the concept of harm reduction and how it relates to goals of rehabilitation, and how they assess and deal with dilemmas and challenges in everyday work.

Methods: The study is based on interviews with 22 social workers in harm reduction services for PWUD in the Scania region of Sweden. A thematic analysis in three steps was used in coding and processing the data.

Results: The social workers pointed to similar values between social work and harm reduction and argued for combining the two fields to improve services for PWUD. Three overarching principles for Harm Reduction Social Work (HRSW) were developed based on the social workers accounts: (1) Harm reduction is a prerequisite for rather than a counterpoint to rehabilitation and recovery, (2) motivational work must be non-mandatory and based on the client's goals, (3) a holistic perspective is crucial for Harm Reduction Social Work. Challenges in doing HRSW concerned restrictive laws, policies, and guidelines, resistance from managers, difficulties in setting boundaries between client autonomy and life-saving interventions, and the risk of normalizing high-risk behaviors.

Conclusions: We use the concept of Harm Reduction Social Work to show how social work with PWUD can have a primary focus on reducing harm and risks, while at the same time it involves a holistic perspective that facilitates motivation and change. The suggested principles of HRSW can provide guidance in practical social work with vulnerable PWUD. Social workers can have important roles in most harm reduction settings and may act to enable recovery.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
BioMed Central (BMC), 2023
Keywords
Drug addiction, Harm reduction, Harm reduction social work, People who use drugs, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Social work
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-63174 (URN)10.1186/s12954-023-00884-w (DOI)001086757900001 ()37833801 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85174318108 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Malmö University, P18-0892:1Riksbankens Jubileumsfond
Available from: 2023-10-17 Created: 2023-10-17 Last updated: 2024-02-15Bibliographically approved
Liahaugen Flensburg, O., Richert, T. & Väfors Fritz, M. (2023). Parents of adult children with drug addiction dealing with shame and courtesy stigma. Drugs: education prevention and policy, 30(6), 563-572
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Parents of adult children with drug addiction dealing with shame and courtesy stigma
2023 (English)In: Drugs: education prevention and policy, ISSN 0968-7637, E-ISSN 1465-3370, Vol. 30, no 6, p. 563-572Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The study aims to provide insight into the lives of parents to adult children with drug addiction. We focus on how the parents' social life and interactions were affected by feelings of guilt and shame, and how they dealt with the stigma that often accompanies drug addiction. 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents (age 46-70) of adult children (age 18-47) with drug addiction in Sweden. Three themes emerged (1) Experiences of guilt, shame, and courtesy stigma, (2) Impact on social life and relationships and, (3) Strategies to reduce guilt and shame. Guilt, shame, and courtesy stigma complicated and restricted the parents' social interactions. Many parents applied a selective openness, carried experiences of alienation and in some cases isolated themselves. At the same time, several parents described that they were open about their child's addiction in certain contexts. For some parents, this meant a relief from guilt and shame and an opportunity for increased social interaction. Both informal and professional support for family members of individuals with drug addiction is vital to reduce experiences of guilt, shame, and courtesy stigma.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2023
Keywords
Alienation, courtesy stigma, drug addiction, parents, selective openness, shame
National Category
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-54097 (URN)10.1080/09687637.2022.2099249 (DOI)000827486300001 ()2-s2.0-85134374643 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2022-08-02 Created: 2022-08-02 Last updated: 2023-12-11Bibliographically approved
Projects
Urban drug scenes as risk environments - how do the police and social welfare institutions intervene and how are problem drug users affected?; ; Publications
Nordgren, J. & Richert, T. (2024). ‘A free position in midfield' – a qualitative study of faith-based social work with people who use drugs in Sweden. European Journal of Social Work, 27(2), 401-412Stallwitz, A., Nordgren, J. & Richert, T. (2024). ‘Not having a real life’: psychosocial functions of using and selling drugs among young Afghan men who came to Sweden as unaccompanied minors. Journal of ethnic and migration studies, 50(14), 3570-3590Richert, T. & Nordgren, J. (2024). Social work with people who use drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study. Nordic Social Work Research, 14(4), 572-585Richert, T., Stallwitz, A. & Nordgren, J. (2023). Harm reduction social work with people who use drugs: a qualitative interview study with social workers in harm reduction services in Sweden. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), Article ID 146.
Föräldrar till vuxna barn med narkotikaproblem; Malmö UniversityYouth substance abuse, sexual health and the social services; Malmö University
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0003-0653-0849

Search in DiVA

Show all publications