Care chain for addicts - from cost to strength in society

Important results from the project

The purpose of the project is to make it easier for addicts to continue to be drug-free after treatment. The goal is to create an effective post-care closely linked to treatment where an addict can transform from being a community cost to a social power that help others to remain drug-free. We want to create a communication material where we describe the care chain, the need for it and what it leads to. We now have a coherent care chain that has been tested and works well. We have methods for communicating the care chain with the aim of more social services granting more treatment and post-care.

Expected long term effects

We have created a pilot project that is currently fully operational. The pilot includes employment within social enterprise, social networks within peer support groups and housing with support. Through a cohesive care chain, we have the possibility to help more people maintain long-term abstinence and reduce the relapse rate. So far, five people have started our post-care program. They have all undergone treatment at our substance abuse treatment center and have employment through our social enterprice. The long-term effects take several years to document.

Approach and implementation

We have - identified success factors for our care chain, created structure for analysis in order to ensure that the links in post-care are stable. - implemented our idea in a geographical location, started a social enterprice closely linked to our substance abuse treatment center and peer support groups. - met many people from the target group, discussed opportunities with our adult education centres, several social enterprices, lots of peer support groups etc. This has given us a deeper understanding of the needs, opportunities and prospects in our organization.