Co-production in alcohol research: what can we learn?

While alcohol harms can occur across society, many of those most profoundly affected are also the most vulnerable and hard to reach individuals. As a new study by researchers at Liverpool John Moores University shows, the role of alcohol in the lives of homeless drinkers can be very damaging – but it is also very complex. Homelessness can be barrier to recovery: something acknowledged in a recent report by the Centre for Social Justice. Equally, problem drinking can be both a cause and a consequence of homelessness – but when it is a cause, it is rarely the sole reason why an individual finds themselves ‘on the streets’. For those seeking to reduce the harms that alcohol can cause in these circumstances, it is essential to understand the nature of the problem. However, this poses a real challenge: how can we best understand the perspectives of people who are often marginalised, experiencing considerable personal difficulties, and lacking the means to access mainstream support and services? The researchers at Liverpool John Moores University used Photovoice to help drinkers describe their own experiences and feelings through a combination of words and images. Through this co-produced approach, the research team were able to explore the complex and difficult processes that linked alcohol use to homelessness. They found that these often involved adverse life events, low levels of social or family support, and the use of alcohol to cope with trauma. Promoting and dev...
Source: Alcohol Research UK - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: News Source Type: news