Integration into the labour market of adults with addiction problems or substance abuse – a Nordic insigh

Adults with addiction problems and substance abuse often need individually tailored support to help them find a way out of their addiction and abuse (and possibly other problems), boost their potential and find their place in society. This group of people is a resource for society and should therefore be integrated into the labour market in the best possible way, with the aid of the right initiatives. These can include, for example, different types of rehabilitation, interventions and the right matching with the labour market. It is also important to have collaboration between the appropriate government agencies and bodies in order to ensure that initiatives are coordinated and have the best possible effect.

The Nordic countries are working in different ways to integrate adults with addiction problems and substance abuse into the labour market. The aim of this project is to share Nordic experiences and acquire an insight into how people with addiction problems and substance abuse are being integrated into the labour markets in the Nordic region. The aim of the project is also to identify whether there are particularly successful interventions in this area in the Nordic countries that can improve the situation for this group of people.

Results

The project has delivered a report based on two main sections. Country descriptions from each of the six Nordic countries that participated in the work on the report, and a discussion based on the country descriptions.

The lead authors of the report were two researchers from Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet), and they have written a summary, introduction, discussion and country description about Norway. The other country descriptions were written by researchers/experts from the respective Nordic countries.

The country descriptions are structured around the same dimensions and specifications, with a focus on issues including the organisation of labour market initiatives for people with addiction problems and substance abuse. They also touch on the different kinds of interventions offered to this target group, as well as which laws regulate labour market initiatives for people with addiction problems and substance abuse.

In the discussion section, the country descriptions are summarised and the results obtained are analysed. One large element of the analysis involves identifying successful interventions for the target group. It may, however, be concluded that there is a general lack of high-quality, research-based evaluations needed to assess most of the ongoing interventions.

The report was written in English and published in February 2024.

Target groups

The target groups for the project and the report include officials in ministries, government agencies, regions and municipalities. The project is also aimed at practitioners and other people who work in the field of treating addiction and substance abuse.