Min plats i samhället: Individers upplevelser och tolkningar av sin drogrelaterade situation och dess implikationer
(2023) SOPB63 20231School of Social Work
- Abstract
- The aim of this study was to examine how former substance addicts relate to and interpret the concept of drug users from society, both as an individual and as part of a group. The study emanates from a constructivist approach and theories about identity, stigma, and labeling have been used to analyze the empirical material. The study has been carried out with a qualitative
approach and semi-structured interviews. A total of six interviews were carried out where all the interviewees had personal experiences of substance abuse. The results from the interviews showed that users felt excluded by society and discriminated against from the healthcare sector, which led them to experience stigmatization. Most interviewees experienced a... (More) - The aim of this study was to examine how former substance addicts relate to and interpret the concept of drug users from society, both as an individual and as part of a group. The study emanates from a constructivist approach and theories about identity, stigma, and labeling have been used to analyze the empirical material. The study has been carried out with a qualitative
approach and semi-structured interviews. A total of six interviews were carried out where all the interviewees had personal experiences of substance abuse. The results from the interviews showed that users felt excluded by society and discriminated against from the healthcare sector, which led them to experience stigmatization. Most interviewees experienced a difference in attitude against various types of users, based on appearance or one's socioeconomic condition. Even the users themselves distinguished ‘the wealthy party drug users’ from the ‘junkies on the street’. The result from the interviews, therefore, indicates that there is a categorization within the group as well as from society. It was also clear from the interviews that some of the respondents realized that hiding the fact they are an addict (thus, not identifying themselves as one) helped them to be treated as equals. By being labeled as an addict, they were treated differently than those who did not have this label. Further, they were aware that the label would follow them for the rest of their lives but expressed a wish not to have to be ashamed of asking for help. In conclusion, the study shows that to be able to help individuals the current conception of an
addict needs to be reformed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9123126
- author
- Ericsson, Moa LU and Sjöberg, Therése LU
- supervisor
-
- Eva Palmblad LU
- organization
- course
- SOPB63 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- addiction, drugs, stigmatization, categorizing, people who use drugs (PWUD), social identity
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9123126
- date added to LUP
- 2023-06-11 18:23:31
- date last changed
- 2023-06-11 18:23:31
@misc{9123126,
abstract = {{The aim of this study was to examine how former substance addicts relate to and interpret the concept of drug users from society, both as an individual and as part of a group. The study emanates from a constructivist approach and theories about identity, stigma, and labeling have been used to analyze the empirical material. The study has been carried out with a qualitative
approach and semi-structured interviews. A total of six interviews were carried out where all the interviewees had personal experiences of substance abuse. The results from the interviews showed that users felt excluded by society and discriminated against from the healthcare sector, which led them to experience stigmatization. Most interviewees experienced a difference in attitude against various types of users, based on appearance or one's socioeconomic condition. Even the users themselves distinguished ‘the wealthy party drug users’ from the ‘junkies on the street’. The result from the interviews, therefore, indicates that there is a categorization within the group as well as from society. It was also clear from the interviews that some of the respondents realized that hiding the fact they are an addict (thus, not identifying themselves as one) helped them to be treated as equals. By being labeled as an addict, they were treated differently than those who did not have this label. Further, they were aware that the label would follow them for the rest of their lives but expressed a wish not to have to be ashamed of asking for help. In conclusion, the study shows that to be able to help individuals the current conception of an
addict needs to be reformed.}},
author = {{Ericsson, Moa and Sjöberg, Therése}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Min plats i samhället: Individers upplevelser och tolkningar av sin drogrelaterade situation och dess implikationer}},
year = {{2023}},
}