Postgrad research into island substance abuse
A postgraduate student is appealing for islanders to take part in a survey she is conducting as part of research into substance abuse on Lewis and Harris.
Eve Crawford, from Barvas, is a postgraduate student at the University of Stirling, working on her Masters dissertation.
She wants to study the attitudes that exist towards heavy drinking and substance use in her home island which, she believes, may be enabling use and hindering recovery.
She is looking for residents in Lewis and Harris aged 18 and over and has provided a QR code and a survey link to enable access to her survey.
Eve’s project is part of her Masters in Substance use and builds on her initial degree in psychology.
Her study is called “An investigation of attitudes towards high-risk substance use on the Isles of Lewis and Harris”. It has been ethically approved by the University of Stirling's General University Ethics Panel.
The survey will take around 5 to 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. It explores community attitudes, cultural norms, and perceptions around alcohol and substance use.
Eve said: “Being from the island, I do care deeply about the people and the community at large. I have a specific interest in addiction. It’s both a physical and a social problem and for various reasons one that won’t go away.
“You don’t have to look very far on this island to meet someone affected by addition and while I would say the stats show Scotland generally is struggling to cope with substances, the island has a very specific relationship with substances.
“I’m simply looking to see if there is a perceived leniency toward high-risk use.
“I believe the attitudes and norms surrounding high-risk enable use in many cases.”
She added: “From personal experience, I would argue that our attitude towards heavy drinking and substance use has created an environment which can enable consumption and hinder recovery. For example, when discussing the local alcohol phrases such as ‘it runs in the family’ or ‘that’s just them, you know what they’re like’.
“It appears that as long as people are able to function then they are left to deal with their addiction on their own. When it gets out of control the stigma surrounding addiction can become overwhelming.”
She believes there is a gap in research but more so in prevention.
“Techniques which work in urban Scotland, don’t consider the cultural and historical significance of alcohol and substance in the islands.
“When lack of recreational resources is common and long winter nights set in, it is understandable why many turn to substances and alcohol.
“Secondly, I am hoping to use this research as an initial step to encourage the Scottish Government, charities and local people to consider their attitudes and challenge the norms that exist to better protect those within the community.”
The survey URL is https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/stirling/dissertation-survey-jl5jujfrrixlnb9i4s6ypu9ty