New substance abuse rehabilitation model for persons with intellectual disabilities

The wellbeing services county is participating in a project of the Helsinki Deaconess Institute, which aims to create a substance abuse rehabilitation model suitable for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Substance abuse is a problem for about 10–20% of the population, including persons with intellectual disabilities, especially those with mild intellectual disabilities. 

“Persons with intellectual disabilities have the right to self-determination. They are allowed to make choices in their lives, including ones that we consider mistakes,” says Jarno Keskinen, Project Manager at the Helsinki Deaconess Institute.

The expertise of substance abuse services alone is not enough when the customer is a person with intellectual disabilities. More information is needed on how to interact with persons with intellectual disabilities who have neuropsychiatric symptoms and to identify their special needs.

However, not all Disability Services units have sufficient expertise in identifying the risks and problems of substance abuse in all units, or in working with customers with substance abuse issues. That is why it is important to map out competencies and identify existing good practices. 

“Substance abuse among persons with intellectual disabilities is not a new phenomenon, but it is good that this project pays special attention to it. Building functional service paths and raising awareness is important,” says Sanna Mohsen from the wellbeing services county’s Disability Services. 

The objective of the cooperation project is to combine the expertise of Substance Abuse Services and Disability Services and to create a rehabilitation model suitable for persons with intellectual disabilities. Cooperation has been carried out in workshops, where former and current substance abuse rehabilitees were interviewed in the spring and a substance abuse service path was built for customers. 

This autumn, the intention is to organise group activities suitable for persons with intellectual disabilities who have substance abuse issues. The aim is to create a model that enables peer support, increases inclusiveness and introduces alternative activities in everyday life.

“In Substance Abuse Services and Disability Services, the most important thing is to see the customer as a person, not as a diagnosis. The challenges faced by all people can also be part of the life of person with an intellectual disability; an intellectual disability is only one aspect of a person,” Mohsen points out.
 

**

• Project period: 2023–2025
  Project owner: Helsinki Deaconess Institute HDL
  Project team: Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County, City of Helsinki
  Project manager: Jarno Keskinen, HDL
  Steering group:
  Chair Råman-Maljonen, Susanna, Service Unit Manager, Substance Abuse Services, Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County LUVN,
  LUVN members: 
  Mohsen, Sanna, sanna.mohsen@luvn.fi, Service Unit Manager, Disability Services and 
  Kopra, Kari, kari.kopra@luvn.fi, Service Manager, Substance Abuse Services