Support, Empowerment, and The Process of Role Exit; an Overview of the Vägen ut! Treatment and Aftercare Program for Substance Abuse

Abstract

Just like in other countries in the world substance abuse treatment is delivered in various settings in Sweden. It can range from an outpatient program, as in governmentally funded, public services with admitted participants that only come in to take their methadone daily, without going to therapy or it could be an inpatient program that involves treatment through therapeutic interventions and employment training as in a residential type of rehabilitation program. Such programs are designed to integrate the participants back into society. The current study has an aim to trace the process of empowerment and make an overall assessment of the support given while one is attending the rehabilitation program for substance abuse of the social enterprise Vägen ut! To gain a deeper understanding of the processes involved in the particular treatment I performed a series of interviews with both participants and professionals. I have concluded that the different types of ongoing therapy and support, creation of training and future employment placements are all major factors in the recovery process of an individual suffering from substance abuse. The conclusions state that because of Vägen ut’s provision of a supportive family environment in a nonconventional setting the overall accomplishment of both professionals and participants is empowerment through supportive strategies.