Project period: 2021-2023

Funding: Stavne Trondheim KF/ Trondheim Municipality

Project owner: Stavne Trondheim KF

Project partner: NTNU, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science and SINTEF Digital, Department of Health

Project Management at NTNU: Siren Hope - NTNU 

Project Management at SINTEF: Kirsti Sarheim Anthun Kirsti Sarheim Anthun - SINTEF

                 
Summary

This project is an evaluation of Brygga. Brygga is a work-oriented integration initiative for individuals facing challenges related to substance abuse and mental health. The study aims to identify effective factors in Brygga's model. The results of the project are presented in a report and also in a short film about Brygga (duration 18 minutes). Both the report and the film are based on a qualitative data collection involving participant observation at Brygga, interviews and conversations with participants, staff, family members, and employers.

The study has focused on participants' experiences and perspectives, as well as the staff's experiences with and reflections on Brygga's activities and services. The research questions have been: What characterizes Brygga's model? What makes Brygga's model effective, and how and why are these factors effective? In this context, "effective factors" refer to those that positively contribute to participants' recovery process and transition to what, for them, is a good everyday life. The study also aims to uncover challenges or shortcomings in Brygga's model, contributing to identifying lessons that may be useful in a broader context within mental health and substance abuse treatment/ rehabilitation.

The objective of the film component in the project has been to highlight participants' stories about what they find positive and useful in the services they receive from Brygga. It has not been a goal to cinematically depict personal histories and processes.

The evaluation shows that Brygga's services meet important needs for the participants. In interviews and conversations, participants discuss challenges bound to re-entering society and social life after having undergone substance abuse treatment. They speak of loneliness, lack of meaningful activities, a sense of emptiness, financial difficulties, relationship problems, and a lack of ability, overview, or opportunities to take control of their lives. They describe a situation where they are starting anew but without seeing the tools, qualities, skills, networks, or energy to make it happen. Brygga's operational model, where participants receive assistance and guidance to enter employment or school/education, along with a social substance-free community at Brygga, social activities and practical guidance in everyday coping, conversation therapy/cognitive therapy, and a high degree of user involvement, seems to contribute very positively to the participants' recovery process and their integration into the broader social community. The relationship with the conversation therapist is particularly highlighted as helpful. Participants also emphasize the safe atmosphere at Brygga, where they are met with acceptance, understanding, and warmth, even if they were to experience a relapse into substance abuse. For participants, it is the combination of care, treatment, learning, and preparation for work, along with Brygga's lack of time limitations, that is perceived as the most valuable elements.

However, the evaluation reveals a potential challenge: a significant number of participants express a desire for individual conversation therapy, and it seems that this need persists without substantial reduction. Currently, the staff manages to meet this need, but new participants join Brygga every year, and none are discharged. Therefore, the question arises whether it is possible to sustain this service in the future, or if Brygga should consider alternative treatment forms that continue to meet participants' needs while remaining sustainable for Brygga as a whole.

Project publications

• Anthun, Kirsti Sarheim ; Hope, Siren. (2023) Virksomme faktorer i Bryggamodellen. En kvalitativ evalueringsstudie av Brygga – et rehabiliteringstilbud for personer som mottar rusbehandling i døgnenhet eller poliklinikk. SINTEF AS (ISBN starter med 978-82-14-) (2023:01384). Rapport
• Hope, S., Anthun, K.S. (2021): Som å komme hjem. Fortellinger om Brygga, Documentary film, 18”. Trondheim: NTNU Panopto