Exploring gender-specific in-patient treatment for substance use disorders in Norway

Norwegian national guidelines recommend gender-specific treatment and facilities segregated by gender for people with SUD. The background for these recommendations is lacking in specificity and depth. The research they are based on is also biased toward research on women and their needs. This project seeks to broaden the perspective on what gender-specific treatment can be, and pave the road for further research into what gender-specific interventions are relevant and effective for people with SUD.

We have conducted group interviews with staff and patients in three separate in-patient treatment facilities in Norway. One facility for women only, one for men only and one mixed. Staff and patients were interviewed separately. We will conduct a descriptive phenomenological analysis.

The project is ongoing. We are in the process of transcribing interviews and expect the results to be ready for publication in autumn 2022.

Our focuses are 1) what gender-specific treatment can be, as understood by staff and patients 2) how gender is perceived to be relevant to SUD treatment and 3) what gendered differences in specific interventions and focuses for treatment are possible.

As the analysis is not yet conducted, conclusions are still to be drawn. This work will be concluded prior to the conference.