This category explores the relationship between trauma, substance use, harm, and multiple unmet needs. Articles examine how adversity, vulnerability, and systemic factors impact substance use and engagement with services. Content supports trauma-informed, non-judgemental practice for professionals working across addiction services, social care, mental health, and community-based support.
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Debates around harm reduction versus abstinence have shaped substance use services for decades. These approaches are often presented as opposites one seen as permissive, the… Read More »
The term “complex needs” is widely used across health, housing, social care, safeguarding, and criminal justice services. Yet it is often misunderstood, inconsistently applied, or… Read More »
People experiencing substance use, homelessness, mental ill-health, offending, or repeated crisis involvement are often described as having complex needs. In reality, these needs are not… Read More »
When working with individuals affected by substance use, one pattern shows up again and again: a history of trauma. Whether we’re talking about childhood abuse,… Read More »
