Tvånget i tvångsvården

Abstract

Our main aim is to understand the phenomena coercion by regarding how it is created and maintained during coercive care of drug abusers in Sweden. In this article we follow processes through coercive care by stories from social workers and clients. 23 interviews were conducted with 13 social workers in the social services and 10 persons who have been under coercive care. The material derives from two parallel studies where the social services work has been in focus. The interviewees’ stories elucidate actions and interaction throughout the coercive care. Hereby they describe a process where the drug user first is transformed from a subject to an object. When the care continues in to voluntary treatment the objectification of the drug user ceases and turns into a re-subjectification, where the disciplined can regain influence on his life, but this time as disciplined. We argue that coercion is a process of both objectification and re-subjectification and that coercion is productive since it produces changed identities.