The inner conflict : Nurses’ approach to and experiences of caring for individuals with substance use syndrome

Background: Previous research shows that individuals with substance use disorder experience stigmatization in society, close relationships and even negative attitudes in health care. These individuals increase in number and are a patient group that general nurses can meet in their daily work. It has also been shown that nursing treatment with regard to these individuals may be crucial for seeking and maintaining treatment. This study therefore focuses on nurses’ attitudes towards these individuals but also on their experiences when caring for them. Aim: To investigate the nurse’s attitudes to and experiences of care of individuals with substance abuse disorder. Method: The method used was a systematic literature study with basic qualitative analysis. Result: The results is presented in two domains; "Nurses’ approach" and "Nurses’ experiences" with seven categories. What turned out was a link between high level of knowledge and awareness and good care. The results also showed that some nurses had negative expectations for this patient group, which negatively affected nursing care. We could also discern an inner conflict within the nurses, who often felt insufficient and unable to provide the care the individual was entitled to. Conclusion: Nursing approaches and experiences varied. A link between knowledge and awareness and provision of good care and preventing or reducing prejudice, was found. Society and its culture tend to affect the nurses’ views of individuals with substance abuse disorder. The inner conflicts occurred when nurses did not give the individual the care that he or she were entitled to