Home working during the COVID-19 pandemic: The experience of drug and alcohol support workers

Drug and alcohol support workers play a vital role in addressing the growing burden of substance-related harm and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an abrupt and significant shift towards home working for many in this workforce. This study explores these workers' home working experiences, addressing a research gap and providing valuable insights for staff, organisations delivering public health services, and service users.

This qualitative study explores home working experiences of 30 drug and alcohol support workers in northern England during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection included innovative digital methods: (1) digital timelines (n = 16); (2) in-depth interviews (n = 17); (3) five focus groups (n = 12). Timeline text was treated as qualitative text data. Interviews and focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Data were subject to Framework Analysis.

Seven themes were identified: (1) Difficulty balancing and separating work and home life; (2) Importance of setup, infrastructure and conducive work environment; (3) The move to remote/home working - a process; (4) Convenience and efficiency benefits; (5) Loss of the social: - reductions in social connectedness and feelings of isolation; (6) The importance of the 'office' for connection, communication, socialising, and information sharing; (7) Managing remotely - the development and implementation of strategies and ways of coping.

While home working offers some benefits for substance use support workers, providers, and service users, it also introduces significant challenges. Understanding these is critical for service optimisation. A hybrid (in-person/remote) deliver model, combining home and co-located, office-based working may be optimal.