This preprint is under consideration at Harm Reduction Journal. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Examining Substance Use Services and Treatment Barriers and Needs among People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in Ontario, Canada.
Cayley Russell
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9634-9554
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Introduction: Substance use is a complex issue, with rates of illicit and licit substances varying across Canada, and in Ontario, specifically. Services and treatment options for problematic substance use remain vital. Recent initiatives to increase the effectiveness of services have been implemented, however, a disconnect remains between the availability and accessibility of these programs and the real-world experiences and needs of people with lived experience (PWLE). There is a lack of knowledge regarding barriers to accessing services and service needs, yet PWLE are best suited to identify these factors. As such, this study critically examined these issues among a cohort of PWLE in Ontario, Canada.
Methods: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with n=50 adult PWLE participants were conducted. Participants were recruited from substance use services across Ontario, based on ConnexOntario’s directory of all provincial addiction services, as well as by word-of-mouth. Questions focused on participants’ experiences and perspectives on substance use services. All data were transcribed and underwent an inductive thematic analysis based on key themes that emerged.
Results: Beneficial services identified varied based on participant experiences and needs. A variety of barriers to service access were acknowledged, primarily related to system-level issues such as an overall lack of services, a lack of service capacity, and a severe lack of service coordination and gaps in service delivery. Recommendations revolved around the need for low-barrier, affordable, seamless services run by non-judgemental staff, including fellow PWLE.
Conclusions: This study identified needs and barriers to substance use care among PWLE in Ontario, and highlighted important areas for policy change and program planning and implementation. Concrete recommendations include the development of a government-funded, low-barrier, comprehensive and integrated model of substance use services that includes PWLE as collaborators and program facilitators to ensure that services are as successful and meaningful as possible. Results from this study will work towards the improvement of substance use treatment and service provision across the province.
Keywords
Addiction, Barriers, Harm Reduction, Needs; Ontario, People with lived experience, Policy, Service provision, Substance use, Treatment
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 21 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #2 received
Received 29 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 14 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 12 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 29 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 29 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 17 Sep, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Sep, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Learn more about our company.
This preprint is under consideration at Harm Reduction Journal. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Examining Substance Use Services and Treatment Barriers and Needs among People with Lived Experience (PWLE) in Ontario, Canada.
Cayley Russell
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9634-9554
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 21 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #2 received
Received 29 Oct, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 14 Oct, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 12 Oct, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 29 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 29 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 17 Sep, 2020
Editor assigned
On 17 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 16 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 16 Sep, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Introduction: Substance use is a complex issue, with rates of illicit and licit substances varying across Canada, and in Ontario, specifically. Services and treatment options for problematic substance use remain vital. Recent initiatives to increase the effectiveness of services have been implemented, however, a disconnect remains between the availability and accessibility of these programs and the real-world experiences and needs of people with lived experience (PWLE). There is a lack of knowledge regarding barriers to accessing services and service needs, yet PWLE are best suited to identify these factors. As such, this study critically examined these issues among a cohort of PWLE in Ontario, Canada.
Methods: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with n=50 adult PWLE participants were conducted. Participants were recruited from substance use services across Ontario, based on ConnexOntario’s directory of all provincial addiction services, as well as by word-of-mouth. Questions focused on participants’ experiences and perspectives on substance use services. All data were transcribed and underwent an inductive thematic analysis based on key themes that emerged.
Results: Beneficial services identified varied based on participant experiences and needs. A variety of barriers to service access were acknowledged, primarily related to system-level issues such as an overall lack of services, a lack of service capacity, and a severe lack of service coordination and gaps in service delivery. Recommendations revolved around the need for low-barrier, affordable, seamless services run by non-judgemental staff, including fellow PWLE.
Conclusions: This study identified needs and barriers to substance use care among PWLE in Ontario, and highlighted important areas for policy change and program planning and implementation. Concrete recommendations include the development of a government-funded, low-barrier, comprehensive and integrated model of substance use services that includes PWLE as collaborators and program facilitators to ensure that services are as successful and meaningful as possible. Results from this study will work towards the improvement of substance use treatment and service provision across the province.