Violence and gender-based subject positions in the context of substance abuse

Abstract

This article explores the gendered subject positions of people who have abused substances and the way these positions relate to their experiences of gender-based violence in the context of substance abuse. In this article, violent experiences involve witnessed violence, experienced violence, and conducted violence. This is a qualitative study that is based on in-depth interviews with 18 people who had misused substances and then given it up before the interview. The research was conducted in Finland through a phenomenological approach and subject-position analysis. The experienced violence in the context of substance abuse was structural and appeared, for example, in emotional, physical, and sexual forms. The informants had taken or settled into the positions of masculine women, gang wives, obedient partners, masculine men, gang members, and men in relationships. These gender-based positions were found to be part of the survival mechanisms of both genders. Besides providing security and benefits, the positions were also detrimental. The results of the study contribute to our understanding of gender-based violence, its systemic nature, and its impact on the individual in the context of substance abuse. The results also raise awareness of the phenomenon, whereby it can be more widely recognized in helping professions and society in general.