Integration into the labour market of adults who are being treated for addiction or substance abuse – a Nordic insight

Adults with addiction problems and substance abuse need individually tailored support to help them find a way out of their addiction and abuse, strengthen 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, and with the aid of the right initiatives. This can include different types of rehabilitation, interventions by social services 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 who are being treated for 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 methods and interventions in this area in the Nordic countries that can improve the situation for this group of people.

Results and schedule

The project will deliver a report based on two sections – a background description from each Nordic country and an analysis based on the background descriptions. The Nordic Welfare Centre is collaborating on this task with Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) and other researchers and experts from the Nordic countries.

The background descriptions will be written by researchers and experts from the Nordic countries, and will focus on issues such as how labour market initiatives for people with addiction problems and substance abuse are organised in the various Nordic countries. They will also consider what kinds of addiction treatment are offered, what the goal of addiction treatment is (political) and which laws regulate labour market initiatives for people with addiction problems and substance abuse.

The analysis section will be written by researchers from OsloMet and will try to determine, among other things, which methods and initiatives within the social, health and labour market area have a good effect when it comes to this group of people. The researchers will also look into which recommendations can be given based on the Nordic background descriptions when it comes to integrating adults who are being treated for addiction or substance abuse into the labour market.

The report will be written in English and is expected to be published at the end of 2023.

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.