Using Time‐Geographic Life Charts to Illustrate and Understand the Life Course Among Patients Within Opioid Maintenance Treatment

Introduction Opioid maintenance treatment is the dominant treatment for treating opioid dependence. The treatment is individualised and combines pharmaceuticals with psychosocial support. Aim This study aimed to increase the understanding of the pathway to recovery, by illustrating the life course of patients within OMT before and after starting treatment using time‐geographic life charts. Methods Interviews were conducted with 13 patients using the software GeoLifeGraph. The patients’ life charts were based on household moves, social and stressful events, substance use and contacts with medical or social services. The material was analysed according to a manifest content analysis. Results Five categories were identified: social network and resources, destructive behaviour and stressful events, feelings of alienation, professional support and social and personal integration. Discussion Life charts enabled both nurse and patient to visualise patterns and events, enhancing understanding of the patient’s life course. Knowledge about the patients’ narrative story is important to individualise the care. Using time‐geographic life charts in an OMT programme can promote the patients’ social and personal integration and coherence. This method is in line with person‐centred care and can help the nursing staff to better meet the patients’ needs for recovery.