Understanding the challenges in finding and maintaining employment when dealing with Substance Use Disorder in Türkiye

Background Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can cause serious problems in finding and maintaining jobs. Many studies have shown that people with SUDs show lower employment rates. Interestingly, underemployment persists even when individuals have stopped consuming substances. The present article explores the employment challenges individuals who deal with SUDs in Türkiye perceive.Methods In doing so, we used a qualitative, phenomenological approach, interviewing 18 individuals with SUD as well as 16 of their relatives in Ankara, Türkiye.Results The findings of the study indicated three main groups of challenges faced by individuals with SUD: (i) challenges in working at a job (e.g. symptom-related limitations), (ii) challenges in finding employment (e.g. hiring discrimination), (iii) and limited institutional support (e.g. lacking legal protection). A particularly interesting insight was the common self-stigmatization with individuals viewing themselves as inadequate and incompetent, mirroring wide-spread stigmatizing narratives about SUD. Further, interviews with relatives revealed that relative’s shoulder significant financial and emotional burdens in supporting individuals with SUDs.Conclusion The study underscores the need for institutional support, legal protections, and efforts to combat stigma to facilitate the successful employment and well-being of individuals with SUDs in Türkiye.