Work integratied outpatient treatment, a cross sectional model for addiction treatment and work integration

Important results from the project

The project Arbetsintegrerad Öppenvård, (addiction care combined with work integration) aims to explore the potential of civil society to provide holistic support both to individuals with addiction problems and to society. The project has highlighted and evaluated AIÖ from a social and economic perspective, and developed a handbook that can be used and distributed within civil society. The goals were met, i.e. implementation is feasable as well as knowledge-sharing of the model as such. This may have implication on another issue raised within the project; possible public funding.

Expected long term effects

Since Uppsala city mission has paused the activities with AIÖ new possible participants have received other initiatives. The people participating at the start of the project have all undergone AIÖ and have found other employment. The desired effect of spreading the working method has not been achieved. The work has provided good knowledge of the possibility of a person to work at the same time as interventions are given, and the knowledge has been spread to other actors who, with the help of experiences in the project, can develop and refine the interventions in other constellations.

Approach and implementation

There is a vulnerability when the organization is small in terms of personnel with special skills. When one or more people leave, it is difficult to replace them, a reality that the city mission shares with other municipal organizations. Creating collaborations early in a project phase proves to be necessary. It is also vital to create connections with future clients early on during a project, so that the business can continue after the end of the project. The interest in AIÖ is great and the forms for it will continue, both at a later stage with the City Mission, and with other actors.