Kommuners stöd för anhöriga till personer med substansbruksproblem
– organisering, utbud och konsekvenser
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64098/SVT.2025.32.1.61071Keywords:
Significant others, Substance use problems, Municipal support, Relatives, CodependencyAbstract
Several studies have highlighted differences between significant others of individuals with substance use problems and significant others for other groups. In comparison, the former group are more often subject to stigmatization, blame, and suspicion, and face unique challenges that affect their interactions with the welfare sector and how they are perceived by the public. It has also been noted that this particular group is rarely aware of their rights to support, which can be related to their less prominent presence in policy documents and their lack of association with the terminology used in general support frameworks for significant others. Unlike other groups, the term “codependency” is often used to describe their vulnerability, which has been criticized for pathologizing caregiving behaviors and perpetuating stigmatization. While previous research emphasizes that these significant others constitute a group with specific conditions and challenges, policy documents for social support to this group are usually generally formulated, and knowledge about the manner and extent to which the group is offered and receives support is limited. This article presents the results of a comprehensive survey on how Swedish social services address adult significant others of individuals with substance use problems. The purpose is to examine how support for this specific group is organized and communicated, as well as to identify which forms of support are prioritized and utilized. The study’s results highlight that the organization of support significantly impacts access to and design of support for significant others, influencing the dynamics between significant others’ participation and agency, needs, and well-being. The implications of various direct and indirect support forms and interventions for family members are discussed.
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