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May 14, 2026International Journal of Drug PolicyOpen Access

Exploring the benefits and challenges of lived and living experience among support workers in the alcohol, drug and mental health workforce in Australia

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Authors

LBL. BrenerTCT. CaruanaRHR. Horwitz

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Overview

Qualitative study examines the value of lived experience among support workers, suggesting structural supports to enhance practice.

Key Points

  • This study aims to explore how support workers perceive the value and challenges of their lived experience in the alcohol and mental health sectors.
  • Analyzed semi-structured interview data from 36 workers with lived experience (LLE)
  • Identified themes related to the benefits, complexities, and workplace practices involving LLE
  • Focused on peer-designated and non-designated roles within services
  • Identified strong relational benefits of LLE, including improved trust and client engagement
  • Highlighted challenges such as stigma and emotional distress in the workplace
  • Emphasized the need for organizational policies to support safe disclosure and recognize LLE expertise

Cite This Study

Brener et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a05659da550a87e60a1df56https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105325
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1‘We Feel Invisible a Lot of the Time’: Insights Into the Roles of Alcohol and Other Drug Lived and Living Experience Workers2026
  2. 2A comparison of the workplace perceptions of lived experience and non-lived experience mental health support workers, the good news2026
  3. 3Lived experience allyship in mental health services: Recommendations for improved uptake of allyship roles in support of peer workforces2024 · 2 citations
  4. 4Lived Experience Engagement in Service Design and Improvement: Investigating Meaning and Impact2025 · 1 citations
  5. 5Experiences of a lived experience recovery organisation for those in abstinence-based substance use recovery: a thematic analysis2025