”Här hämtar man kraft” : en kvalitativ studie om kvinnors upplevelser av deltagande i Qvinnoqulan, ett projekt för kvinnor på väg ur missbruk

• Main Author: Andersson, Catrin
• Format: Others
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för socialt arbete - Socialhögskolan 2007
• Subjects: Female selfhelp-groups; Female addicts; Addiction; Identity; Social work; Socialt arbete
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-7063

The purpose of this study was to increase the knowledge and understanding of what impact support-groups, such as represented by Qvinnoqulan, can have on women with drug-addiction. The questions at issue for the essay was: How does a selection of women who participate in Qvinnoqulan describe their thoughts, experiences and reflections of the group? What sense has Qvinnoqulan made for the women on a personal level and for contributing to live a life without drugs? To answer the questions a qualitative method was used and five interviews were made with women who participated in the activities of Qvinnoqulan. To analyze the data a social constructionist perspective and an empowerment perspective was used. The result of the study showed that the women were in the process of rebuilding a new life without drugs and reconstructing a new identity. Qvinnoqulan played an important role in that process and was functioning as a safe place in between the two different types of lifestyles; life with drugabuse and life without drugs. Elements such as female friendship, honesty, understanding and sharing familiar experiences with other women were important to maintain a life free from drugs.