A scoping review of the use of visual methods in supporting women with substance use histories

Abstract Problematic use of substances is a growing global issue, however only 1 in 18 women with this issue seek treatment and interventions have been critiqued for overlooking gender-specific needs. Given the rich history of visual methods in research and therapy, our aim is to conduct a scoping review exploring how visual methods are used in research involving cisgender women with a substance use history, with a particular focus on their potential to support recovery. Visual methods, in this review, refers to approaches that use images or other visual creations, such as digital storytelling, photovoice, drawing, collage, and visual elicitation techniques. These methods offer non-verbal modes of expression that can support narrative agency and help tackle stigma, trauma, and relational complexities often experienced by women in recovery. Five databases, Medline, PsychINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and SCOPUS were searched to identify peer-reviewed empirical papers that address women’s recovery from substance use and employed visual methods where women participated in the visual creations. Of 5776 initial records, 27 articles were identified. Using content and thematic analysis, we outline how visual methods are used in these articles and what we can learn about the potential of visual methods in supporting women’s recovery. Articles were divided into two groups. The first have direct relevance to recovery and consist of three themes capturing process of change: Gaining temporal context, Transformation beyond reflection, and Power of shared stories. The second have indirect relevance to recovery and consist of two themes identifying pathways to recovery: Informing services and Developing community support. In conclusions, visual methods have immense potential in supporting women’s recovery through making their experiences tangible and as a tool for knowledge translation bridging the gap between research, practice and policy to inform gender-responsive support systems.