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Purpose Little is known about how harm reduction is practiced in Norwegian housing first (HF) projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore, describe, and interpret how providers apply a harm reduction approach within a housing project focused on individuals who are homeless with co-morbid substance use and mental health problems. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study was part of a larger evaluation study of a three-year HF project in a Norwegian municipality. Data were collected using four multi-stage focus groups with five providers working in the HF project. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Analysis resulted in three main themes: “Letting the service user sit in the driver’s seat,” “We don’t follow service provision contracts, we do everything,” and “Collaborating with the local community.” Research limitations/implications There is a need to develop increased knowledge about service users’ experiences within the harm reduction approach. Practical implications To practice effective harm reduction, treatment providers must have open authorizations and the opportunity to exercise professional judgment. Harm reduction practice must also focus on social, political, and economic factors influencing users’ everyday lives. Originality/value The paper contributes to the knowledge base on harm reduction within HF practice that differs from a traditional model wherein clients are expected to abstain from substance use. It highlights important preconditions for challenges practitioners might encounter at both individual and service system levels.

Recovery-oriented care has become a leading vision across countries. To develop services and communities in more recovery-oriented directions, enhanced understandings of recovery in terms of personal and social contexts are important prerequisites. The aim of this study is to explore the nature and characteristics of the experiences of recovery. The method used is a form of qualitative meta-synthesis that integrates the findings from multiple qualitative studies published by one research group. Twenty-eight empirical papers with a focus on recovery as personal and contextual experiences were included in this meta-synthesis. Five meta-themes were developed: (a) being normal, (b) respecting and accepting oneself, (c) being in control, (d) recovery as intentional, and (e) recovery as material and social. The themes describe how recovery encompasses dynamics between personal experiences and contextual dimensions. This meta-synthesis consolidated an understanding of recovery as dynamics of the self and others, and as dynamics of the self and material resources. This understanding of recovery suggests the need to work not only with the person, but also with families, networks, social systems, and local communities, thus developing mental health and substance abuse services in more collaborative, open-ended, and context-sensitive directions.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore, describe and interpret two research questions: How do persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems, living in supportive housing, experience belonging? How do residential support staff experience promoting a sense of belonging for persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems, living in a supportive housing? Design/methodology/approach Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with five persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems living in supportive housing in a Norwegian district. In addition, one semi-structured focus group was conducted with nine residential support staff. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings Analysis resulted in three main themes: “I do not go to sleep in my pajamas”, “Do I have a choice?” and “Be kind to each other”. Research limitations/implications More research on how inclusive practices that are commonly described in guidelines actually affect the experience of residents and residential support staff is needed. Practical implications Practices that incorporate a communal and contextual understanding when assigning supportive housing are warranted. Originality/value By paying attention to the components of social recovery, this paper provides a nuanced understanding of how persons with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems, living in supportive housing, experience belonging. In addition, residential support staffs’ experiences with promoting a sense of belonging for this group are explored.

The study contributes to the existing literature on the value of street football teams in recovery, by exploring how persons with mental health and/or substance abuse problems experience participation in street football teams. In total, 51 persons experiencing mental health and/or substance abuse challenges who played in street football teams, in Norway, participated in focus group interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, and resulted in three major themes: (1) The spirit of the football team, (2) More than just a pitch, and (3) The country's best follow-up system. Overall, our findings highlighted the importance of community and communal efforts through acts of citizenship, in facilitating and promoting social inclusion for persons in challenging life situations. Street football is one measure than can be helpful in this context. Communities, policy makers and funders need to acknowledge and gain more insight and understanding of the value that street football teams represent. There is also a need for further studies exploring what contributes to community in our highly individualistic society.