Women's experiences of caring for someone who uses substances in rural Australia: A qualitative study

Problematic substance use is widespread, with an estimated one in 25 Australians experiences a substance use disorder. This can deeply negatively impact a person's family members and loved ones who care for them. This type of caring is disproportionately carried out by women. However, the intersection of gendered caregiving, substance use, and rural disadvantage remains understudied.

Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, enhanced with a feminist theoretical lens, this study explored the experiences of women caring for someone who uses substances in rural Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 rural women caring for someone with a substance problem.

Three themes were identified: The emotional burden of care reflected the intense emotional effort carers invest in supporting a loved one who uses substances. Care expectations highlighted women's strong sense of obligation to maintain relationships and continue providing care to their loved one. The costs of caring encompassed the broad personal impacts and sacrifices carers face in their ongoing role of supporting someone who uses substances.

Overall, the findings reveal that women carry substantial emotional and relational burdens in caring for someone who uses substances, compounded by gendered expectations and limited support. Health and substance use services must move beyond the focus on the individual using substances and address the significant pressures borne by women in caring roles.