Being an older person with drug addiction – a qualitative study of the living conditions of a growing group

There is a need to put focus on older persons with long-term drug problems. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge about this group´s life situation and need for support.

International as well as Swedish studies indicate that this is a growing group that will require significant care resources.

There is a need for increased knowledge about older drug users in social services, healthcare and elderly care, in order to adapt treatment and services to this group.The aim of this project is to study the life situation of older persons with long-term drug problems in Sweden, with a focus on the importance of aging.

We will analyze issues related to everyday life and living conditions, social relations, drug use and risk management as well as physical and mental health.

We will also study the group´s experiences of contact with care authorities and organizations, as well as their perceived need for support.In the project, we integrate theories from research on ageing and research on addiction problems: the lifestyle perspective that emphasizes the functions and meanings of drug use, the life course perspective that highlights how relationships and interactions with the environment are shaped by previous experiences, and the concept of ageism focusing on how older people are being discriminated against because of stereotypical beliefs about old age.

A gender perspective is important for studying how living conditions and opportunities may differ between women and men.The study is based on qualitative methods. We will conduct semi-structured interviews with a strategic selection of older persons with long-term drug problems. We strive for an even distribution between women and men.

Recruitment will take place at services that target different groups of older drug users - treatment facilities, housing units, low-threshold activities - to achieve variation in the sample.