1. The role of social work in agency processes - empirical study using the example of people who use illicit substances with a history of imprisonment

Agency has been the subject of intensive discussion in the context of social work within the last years. Mostly agency is defined as an individual ability that is restricted/enabled in certain life situations. Professionals from the fields of sociology and social work in particular see the relevance of agency (research) for social work among others in the analysis of (anti-) individual agency processes. Social work can be seen as a part of agency processes and not only as a profession which tries to lead to more agency of their addressees. The role of social work in the reproduction of agency and the extent to which it is involved in agency processes is neglected. In particular, people who use ilicit substance who, due to multi-layered problems and potentially harmful use, are often in contact with social work (for example in low threshold institutions, prison, therapy). Based on this, the PhD project addresses the question: 'To what extent is social work involved in agency processes in the narratives of users of illegal substances who have experienced imprisonment?'. Within the framework of qualitative research methods by using the method of emotional maps during interviews, the (self-) narratives of users of illegal substances will be analysed using agency-analysis. The contribution at Lisbon Addiction is intended to give an insight into the ongoing research project and to show the need for reflection and rethinking within social work in the context of drug help by pointing out the need of behavioral change mechanisms and theory framework.