In Norway, official guidelines and policies state that recovery oriented services in the field of mental health and substance abuse services is a desirable goal.

This collaborative research project aims to provide in-depth knowledge of how recovery oriented practices and collaboration in the mental health and substance abuse services in the municipality of New Drammen develop over a three-year period.

Using qualitative methods, the main aim of the study is to explore what recovery orientation of services in mental health and substance abuse presupposes and involves related to roles, collaboration and knowledge.

To explore these issues, service users will be interviewed together with their primary mental health professional.

The study will also apply observational fieldwork in order to observe recovery oriented practices between service users and professionals and between professionals.

An advisory group consisting of people with background as service users, mental health clinicians and service leaders will contribute throughout the project.

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1. Adults who have received community mental health and / or substance abuse services for the past year or longer, due to moderate or severe mental health and / or substance abuse problems.

   Inclusion Criteria:

   • receives community mental health services due to mental health and /or substance abuse related problems
   • Above 18 years old

   Exclusion Criteria:

   • Under the age of 18

2. Mental health workers in the municipality, working in mental health and substance abuse services

Adults who have received community mental health and / or substance abuse services for the past year or longer, due to moderate or severe mental health and / or substance abuse problems.