Table 2 Overarching experiences and needs themes and community-specific sub-themes
Main experiences themes | Sub-themes from each sitea | ||
|---|---|---|---|
BC Urban Community | AB Northern Community | AB Urban Community | |
Organizational and systems-related barriers to opioid treatment services | Obstacles to accessing and staying in services | Obstacles within opioid treatment services | ‘Barriers to getting help when I need it’ |
Feeling judged when accessing services | Being degraded when trying to seek help | Judgment and discrimination from service providers | ‘Being seen as a lost cause’ |
Genuine care and support | ‘Feeling like we actually matter’ | ‘Having legitimate supports to cheer you on’ | – |
Main needs themes | |||
Fewer barriers to finding and accessing opioid treatment services | Programs should be easier to find and keep connected to, regardless of age | Make treatment access a less overwhelming process | Getting the help I want, when I need it, right at the moment |
More supportive interactions with service providers | Service providers who are understanding and make us feel like we actually matter | Service providers who are rooting for me and have been here before | – |
A broader and individualized approach to opioid use | Fundamental safety, health, and social necessities to be addressed | Treatment plans should be molded to us and able to change with us | Broader understanding of opioid use and multiple services because there is no one size fits all |