This research line focuses on methods and interventions to promote recovery among youth and adults with substance use and other mental health problems. The recovery movement is a relatively new phenomenon in substance abuse treatment and mental healthcare, characterized by a shift from a traditional, medical approach towards personal recovery, emphasizing the subjective experiences and perspectives of persons in recovery (‘lived experiences’). Outpatient and residential treatment, informal support, experts by experience, quality of life, persons in vulnerable situations, a strengths approach, social participation and continuity of care are central concepts in recovery research with alcohol and drug users. For long, research at the department has focused on therapeutic communities, as a pedagogical approach for treating addictions. This evolved towards research on specific methods and interventions that enhance retention and outcomes in substance abuse treatment, like case management, involvement of the social network and motivational interventions. Prevention, treatment and harm reduction among vulnerable populations (at risk of) falling through the cracks of the system, e.g. prisoners and mentally ill offenders, women and mothers withyoung children, persons with co-occurring mental health problems or intellectual disabilities or a migration background, is another important focus of addiction research at the department. Recent research addresses recovery pathways and factors that contribute to recovery and quality of life among persons with substance use issues in diverse situations, using quantitative as well as qualitative research methods.