How older adults recovering from substance use problems experience mattering

Nina Kavita Heggen Bahl; Hilde Eileen Nafstad; Rolv Mikkel Blakar; Emil Øversveen; Morten Brodahl; Ottar Ness; Isaac Prilleltensky

doi:10.1186/s12913-023-10413-x

How older adults recovering from substance use problems experience mattering

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Dec 21;23(1):1453. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-10413-x.

Authors

Nina Kavita Heggen Bahl¹, Hilde Eileen Nafstad², Rolv Mikkel Blakar², Emil Øversveen³, Morten Brodahl⁴, Ottar Ness⁵, Isaac Prilleltensky⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Research and Development, Clinic of Substance Use and Addiction Medicine, St. Olavs hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Klostergata 48, 7030, Trondheim, Norway. Nina.Bahl@stolav.no.
² Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373, Oslo, Norway.
³ Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
⁴ Norwegian National Advisory Unit On Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Mental Health Division, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Divisjon Psykisk Helsevern, 2381, Brumunddal, Norway.
⁵ Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway.
⁶ School of Education and Human Development, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.

Abstract

Aim: Mattering (to feel valued and add value to self and others) is a fundamental human experience and mechanism in recovery. In this paper, we concern ourselves with the recovery of older adults with substance problems. This population is on the rise in many Western countries. To offer mattering enhancing programs for this group, more knowledge about later life mattering in service-assisted recovery processes is needed. This study aims to explore experiences of mattering in older adults receiving services to recover from substance use problems.

Methods: A collaborative and deductive reflexive thematic approach was applied in analysing 23 interviews with participants using substance use services. Participants were recovering from different substance use problems: alcohol, medication and illegal substances. The participants were recruited from three different Norwegian social contexts: two urban and one medium size municipality. The age of the sample ranged from 65-80 years, with approximately equal numbers for those aged 60-69 (12 participants) and 70-80 (11 participants). Seven participants were women and 16 men.

Results: Three main themes were identified in the analysis: "relational experiences of mattering and not mattering", "service-related experiences of mattering and not mattering" and "recovery and psychological sense of community as interrelated phenomena to experiences of mattering". The findings illustrate various nuanced experiences of mattering and not mattering in later life recovery processes.

Conclusions: Overall, the participants' mattering experiences rested on fair, healthy and positive community relationships and fair and attentive services, where participants could feel valued and also have a chance to add value to others. Experiences of not mattering were precipitated by lack of support, disrespect, devaluation and loss of relationships, and also by being ignored and not receiving fair treatment and help by professionals. Importantly, reciprocal and enhancing relations between mattering, recovery and relational PSOC seem to exist and to be significant for the older adults' access to substance use services. Several practical implications are suggested to promote the therapeutic and preventive potentials of later life mattering in recovery.

Keywords: Later life; Mattering; Qualitative methodology; Recovery; Substance use problems.

MeSH terms

Aged
Emotions
Female
Humans
Male
Norway
Substance-Related Disorders* / psychology
Substance-Related Disorders* / therapy