"Bara det att kunna ta ett glas mjölk från kylen mitt i natten" Ensamstående mödrars väg ut ur missbruk och hemlöshet

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to explore the way out of homelessness for women with children and a history of substance abuse. The study population were women who had personal experience of being homeless, a substance abuser and a mother, but had left the homelessness and substance abuse behind. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with four different women, and the empirical material was then analysed. The results showed five different important themes: difference between being without housing and homeless, the role of social services, turning points, social network as a resource and insecurity about the future. The difference between being without housing and homeless showed to be important because of the difference in the view of a homeless person and a person without housing. The role of social services depended on the double role of the authority, the conflict between controlling people and helping people, which homeless women with children are in the middle of. Turning points were events that were important to make a change in life, from homeless to having an apartment. The events could be very small or very big. Social network as a resource showed that it was important to have someone to rely on, who did not judge and who were supporting. Finally, insecurity about the future showed that the process to leave one social role for another is not finished because one obtains an apartment. It continues since things like personal economy, housing shortage and alternative contracts were obstacles yet to overcome.