Coproducing a randomised controlled trial to study the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support for persons with alcohol and drug addiction for a sustainable inclusion in working life

Persons with experience of abuce and addiction of alcohol and drugs are an underrepresented group of the labor market.

Problems that arise are linked to both the addiction and the unemployment itself and are strongly related to poverty, development of other diseases as well as stress and early death.

At the same time, addiction creeps further down the ages and interrupts young adults´ development and connection to work.Previous research shows that work play a part for recovery and to stay sober, achieve financial independence, find social connectedness, and develop new identity and self-confidence.

At the same time, a knowledge gap exists regarding primary studies on return to work (RTW).

In addition, there is a lack of knowledge about how a trial can best be planned and carried out in co-production with services and persons with lived experience.Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a person-centred RTW intervention that is adjusted in relation to individual needs and preferences, co-created with the employment specialist, the treatment team, professionals within the benefit system, and employers.

An innovation with the potential to mediate change of individuals´ work situation as well as of professionals´ and employers´ RTW knowledge and how trusting relationships can be created and efforts coordinated for the benefit of the individual with addiction.

Unfortunately, conflicts arise when innovations are implemented and pose challenges to behaviour and mindsets in existing organisations, which is why co-production is particularly critical when IPS will be evaluated in a new field.The aim is to develop knowledge about the effectiveness of IPS on RTW and health for persons with abuse and addiciton to alcohol and drugs as compared to existing services at 18 months.

To explore the co-production of research, professional expertise and experiential competence in relation to the performance of a randomized controlled trial and implementation of IPS in the workplace.