Researchers at Curtin’s听听(NDRI)听have recently launched an innovative new website,听. Based on an听ARC-funded project,听Lives of Substance听is听Australia鈥檚 first dedicated website presenting carefully-researched personal stories听of alcohol or other drug addiction, dependence or habit.
The website鈥檚 aim听is to generate and present much-needed new insights into the range of experiences that make up life for people who identify as having an alcohol or other drug addiction, dependence or habit. How do people manage this aspect of their lives? How do they cope with the stigma associated with addiction?听What challenges do they face, and how do they cope and thrive? In addressing these questions, Lives of Substance听offers new perspectives on people often dismissed or stigmatised as dysfunctional, dangerous or sick.
Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews, the website听presents听detailed life stories听of听60 Australians听who consider themselves to have an addiction, dependence or drug habit. Also presented are key themes听found in the interviews:
- How alcohol and other drug use fits into everyday life.
- Coping with stigma and discrimination.
- Looking after health and wellbeing.
- Seeking help or initiating change.
These themes are presented using听video re-enactments,听original audio recordings听and听written extracts听from the interviews.
The site was听launched听in Melbourne on Friday the听7 October 2016, with the help of听Kate Holden,听author听of drug use memoir, In My Skin, and harm reduction pioneer, Jenny Kelsall. Speaking at the launch, Holden noted the potential impact the website would have on people who use drugs, healthcare professionals and the broader community.
鈥淭his is a website that I believe has the power to even save lives鈥� We have much to learn from people who are part of our community. People who use drugs are not 鈥榯hem鈥� but 鈥榰s’.鈥�
Planned and designed with the help of a large national advisory panel, Lives of Substance aims to support people who take drugs, inform the public about their many different life experiences and act as an information and training resource for professionals.
