Substance use problems among people with mild/borderline intellectual disability: Challenges to mainstream multidisciplinary specialist substance treatment in Norway

Abstract

Aims: This article aims to shed light on the prevalence of problem substance use in individuals with borderline or mild intellectual disability in Norway, the extent to which their problem use warrants multidisciplinary specialist substance treatment (MST) and whether they receive such treatment at present.

Method: We employed a scoping review of international and Norwegian literature and made additional informal literature searches.

Results: The prevalence of substance use problems among people with intellectual disability in Norway is uncertain. In spite of representing problem complexity of the kind that warrants MST and the entitlement of all population groups to such treatment, Norwegians with mild or borderline intellectual disability seem to receive treatment at this level only to a modest extent.

Conclusion: In order to fit better with aims of Norwegian substance policy, there is a need for national research on the prevalence of substance use among people with intellectual disability. We also seem to need both effect studies and action research in order to strengthen screening and assessment routines and collaboration across competence areas and administrative levels and to develop treatment modalities that fit people in this population group.

Keywords: Norway; intellectual disability; multidisciplinary; prevalence; substance; treatment.