Vocational rehab & social reintegration: The Needs of Problem Drug Users (2006) more

Intervention strategies for tackling problem drug use tend to be dominated by a focus upon the physical (e.g. detox, drug testing, substitute prescribing) and psychological (motivational interviewing, the cycle of change) aspects of dependence. In contrast this paper will promote the social dimension of drug dependence. It will critically explore the structural, cultural and personal difficulties recovering problem drug user’s face when trying to engage with mainstream society. In particular it will outline the challenges posed by social exclusion and discrimination.

Evidence suggests that for many problem drug user’s social exclusion was a difficulty prior to the onset of a drug problem. A drug centred lifestyle has added further layers of exclusion and exacerbated the situation. These layers of exclusion make vocational rehabilitation, social integration and participation within the wider community extremely difficult. This paper will illustrate how attitudes, policies and practices serve to reinforce isolation and create a ‘wall of exclusion’ that effectively prevents problem drug users from engaging with mainstream society.

An alternative conceptual framework that incorporates the social context of problem drug use will be detailed and discussed. This model ‘Steps to Integration’ will be further explored as a template to consider the policy and practice implications of helping recovering problem drug users achieve social integration.